Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Also, do not change the dose or stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. When your supply of this medicine is running low, contact your doctor or pharmacist ahead of time. Do not allow yourself to run out of this medicine.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully before starting nevirapine treatment and each time you refill your prescription. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Nevirapine may be taken with or without food, and with water, milk, or soda.

If you or your child are taking the oral liquid, shake it gently before use. Use an oral dosing syringe or dosing cup to measure the right dose. After drinking the medicine, rinse the dosing cup with water and drink the water to make sure you get all of the medicine. If your dose is less than 5 mL (one teaspoonful), use the dosing syringe.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Keep taking nevirapine for the full time of treatment, even if you or your child begin to feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.

It is important to take nevirapine as part of a combination treatment. Take all other medicines your doctor has prescribed at the right time of the day. This will make your medicines work better.

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep blood levels constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times during the day. For example, if you or your child are taking one dose per day, try to take it at the same time each day. If you are taking two doses per day, the doses should be spaced about 12 hours apart. If you need help planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your doctor.

Do not take more than one dosage form of nevirapine at the same time. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions.

If you stop taking this medicine for more than 7 days, ask your doctor how much to use before you start taking it again. .

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For treatment of HIV infection:
    • For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
      • Adults—At first, one 200 milligram (mg) Viramune® immediate-release tablet once a day for the first 14 days. This is followed by one 400 mg Viramune XR® tablet once a day, together with other HIV medicines.
      • Children 6 to 17 years of age with a body surface area of 1.17 square meter (m2) or greater—Dose is based on body size and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is usually 150 milligrams (mg) per square meter (m2) of Viramune® oral suspension or tablets for the first 14 days. This is followed by 400 mg of Viramune XR® once a day, together with other HIV medicines.
      • Children younger than 6 years of age with a body surface area of less than 1.17 m2—Use is not recommended.
    • For oral dosage forms (suspension or tablets):
      • Adults—200 milligrams (mg) once a day for 2 weeks, followed by 200 mg 2 times per day, together with other medicines.
      • Children and infants 15 days of age and older—Dose is based on body size and must be determined by your doctor.
      • Infants younger than 15 days of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Portions of this document last updated: July 01, 2024

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