Who Should Not Take VIRAMUNE?
- Do not take VIRAMUNE if you are allergic to VIRAMUNE or any of its ingredients. The active ingredient is nevirapine. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about the inactive ingredients
- Do not restart VIRAMUNE after you recover from serious liver or skin reactions that happened when you took VIRAMUNE
- Do not take VIRAMUNE if you take certain medicines. (See “Can I take other medicines with VIRAMUNE?” for a list of medicines)
- Do not take VIRAMUNE if you are not infected with HIV
What should I tell my doctor before taking VIRAMUNE?
Before starting VIRAMUNE, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- Have problems with your liver or have had hepatitis
- Are undergoing dialysis
- Have skin conditions, such as a rash
- Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
How should I take VIRAMUNE?
- Take the exact amount of VIRAMUNE your doctor prescribes. The usual dose for adults is one tablet daily for the first 14 days followed by one tablet twice daily. Starting with one dose a day lowers the chance of rash, which could be serious. Therefore, it is important to strictly follow the once-daily dose for the first 14 days. Do not start taking VIRAMUNE twice a day if you have any symptoms of liver problems or skin rash
- The dose of VIRAMUNE for children is based on their age and weight. Children's dosing also starts with once a day for 14 days and then twice a day after that
- You may take VIRAMUNE with water, milk, or soda, with or without food
- If you or your child uses VIRAMUNE suspension (liquid), shake it gently before use. Use an oral dosing syringe or dosing cup to measure the right dose. After drinking the medicine, fill the dosing cup with water and drink it to make sure you get all the medicine. If the dose is less than 5 mL (one teaspoon), use the syringe
- Do not miss a dose of VIRAMUNE, because this could make the virus harder to treat. If you forget to take VIRAMUNE, take the missed dose right away. If it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Instead, follow your regular dosing schedule by taking the next dose at its regular time
- If you stop taking VIRAMUNE for more than 7 days, ask your doctor how much to take before you start taking it again. You may need to start with once-a-day dosing
- If you suspect that you have taken too much VIRAMUNE, contact your local poison control center or emergency room right away
Can I take other medicines with VIRAMUNE?
- VIRAMUNE may change the effect of other medicines, and other medicines can change the effect of VIRAMUNE. Tell your doctors and pharmacists about all medicines you take, including non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements
- Do not take Nizoral® (ketoconazole) or Rifadin®/Rifamate®/Rifater® (rifampin) with VIRAMUNE
- Tell your doctor if you take Biaxin® (clarithromycin), Diflucan® (fluconazole), methadone, or Mycobutin® (rifabutin). VIRAMUNE may not be right for you, or you may need careful monitoring
- It is recommended that you not take products containing St. John's Wort, which can reduce the amount of VIRAMUNE in your body
- If you take birth control pills, you should not rely on them to prevent pregnancy. They may not work if you take VIRAMUNE. Talk with your doctor about other types of birth control that you can use
What should I avoid while taking VIRAMUNE?
Avoid doing things that can spread HIV infection, as VIRAMUNE does not stop you from passing HIV infection to others. Do not share needles, or other injection equipment or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them, like toothbrushes and razor blades. Always practice safe sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises mothers with HIV not to breast-feed so they will not pass HIV to the infant through their milk. Ask your doctor about the best way to feed your infant.
What are the possible side effects?
VIRAMUNE can cause serious liver damage and skin reactions that can cause death. Any patient can experience such side effects, but some patients are more at risk than others. (See “What is the most important information I should know about VIRAMUNE?” at the beginning of the Medication Guide.)
Other common side effects of VIRAMUNE include nausea, fatigue, fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and myalgia. This list of side effects is not complete. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Changes in body fat have also been seen in some patients taking antiretroviral therapy. The changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the trunk. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen. The cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known at this time.
How do I store VIRAMUNE?
Store VIRAMUNE at room temperature, between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C). Throw away VIRAMUNE that is no longer needed or out-of-date. Keep VIRAMUNE and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General information about VIRAMUNE
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed on a Web site. Do not use VIRAMUNE for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give VIRAMUNE to other people, even if they have the same condition you have. It may harm them.
Please see the Medication Guide for more information.
Please consult Full Prescribing Information, including boxed WARNING, Medication Guide, and Important Safety Information for VIRAMUNE.
