VIRAMUNE
General description
Viramune is the brand name for the drug nevirapine, produced by
Roxane Laboratories. It is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase
inhibitor that acts against HIV-1. It is available in tablet form.
Mechanism
Nevirapine binds drectly to reverse transcriptase and blocks
RNA-dependent and DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activities by disrupting
the enzyme's catalytic site.
Indications
Viramune is indicated for treatment of HIV in combination with
other antiretroviral agents
Usage/Dosage
The recommended dosage is one 200 mg tablet daily for the first 14
days, followed by one 200 mg tablet twice daily in combination with
other antiretroviral agents. If a severe rash or moderate to severe liver
dysfunctyion is experienced, treatment
with Viramune should be halted immediately.
Precautions
There are presently no studies evaluating the efficacy of Viramune
on the clinical progression of HIV, including survival and
susceptibility to opprotunistic infections. Nevirapine relies on the
kidneys and liver for clearance, but there are no present studies
evaluating dosage reductions in patients with renal or hepatic
impairments. These patients should be monitored closely during
treatment. Viramume is also known to cause potentially life-threatening
sin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal
necrolysis as well as severe or life-threatening hepatic toxicity. Patients
should be informed that Viramune is not a cure for HIV. It is possible that
patients will still be susceptible to illnesses associated with HIV disease
progression, including opportunistic infection, and they can still transmit the
virus to other people.
Contraindications
Viramune is contraindicated for patients with known
hypersensitivity to any of the drug components. It should not be used
concomitantly with keoconazole.
Potential Adverse Effects
The most frequently reported adverse effects have been rash, fever,
nasuea, headache, and abnormal liver function tests.