Nevirapine is an antiviral medicine that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body.

Nevirapine is used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Nevirapine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS, and should not be used to prevent HIV.

Nevirapine oral solution (liquid) is for use in adults and children as young as 15 days old. Nevirapine extended-release tablets are for use in adults and children who are at least 6 years old.

Nevirapine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to nevirapine, or if you have moderate to severe liver disease.

Some medicines can interact with nevirapine and should not be used at the same time. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:

• atazanavir;
• delavirdine;
• etravirine;
• itraconazole;
• ketoconazole;
• rifampin;
• rilpivirine;
• St. John's wort; or
• telaprevir.

To make sure nevirapine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• skin problems;
• liver disease (or a history of hepatitis or cirrhosis);
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or
• if you have ever taken delavirdine or efavirenz and they were not effective in treating your condition.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. However, nevirapine may be more likely to cause liver damage in a pregnant woman. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of nevirapine on the baby.

Nevirapine can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Use Viramune XR (Oral) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: joint or muscle pain, fever, mouth sores, facial swelling, blistering skin rash, flu symptoms, swollen glands, feeling weak or tired, severe tingling or numbness, pain or burning when you urinate, swelling in your legs or feet, cough, chest pain, trouble breathing, or swelling in your lips, tongue, or throat.

Nevirapine can cause life-threatening effects on the liver, especially in women. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these liver symptoms while taking nevirapine: nausea, loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, fever, unexplained muscle pain or weakness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Nevirapine may also cause severe or life-threatening skin reactions. Stop taking this medicine and get emergency medical help if you have: a fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, and a red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. This type of reaction is a medical emergency.

Nevirapine may increase your risk of certain infections or autoimmune disorders by changing the way your immune system works. Symptoms may occur weeks or months after you start treatment with nevirapine. Tell your doctor if you have:

• signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands, mouth sores, diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss;
• chest pain (especially when you breathe), dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath;
• cold sores, sores on your genital or anal area;
• rapid heart rate, feeling anxious or irritable, weakness or prickly feeling, problems with balance or eye movement;
• trouble speaking or swallowing, severe lower back pain, loss of bladder or bowel control; or
• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence, loss of interest in sex.

Common side effects may include:

• skin rash; or
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage.

Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.