Nevirapine

Chemical compound

Nevirapine
INN
Drug class
Routes of administration	By mouth
Pregnancy category
Bioavailability	93% ± 9%
Metabolism	Liver
Elimination half-life	45 hours
Excretion	Kidney: <6% (Parent drug) Bile duct <5% (Parent drug)
Legal status
CAS Number	129618-40-2
PubChem	4463
DrugBank	DB00238
ChemSpider	4308
KEGG	D00435

Nevirapine is a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in combination with other agents in the therapy of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Template:Livox Nevirapine is associated with a high rate of serum aminotransferase elevations during therapy and is a well established cause of acute, clinically apparent liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Nevirapine

Nevirapine (ne vir' a peen) is a nonnucleoside inhibitor of the HIV polymerase enzyme and acts by binding to and disrupting the active catalytic site of the viral polymerase, causing a conformational change in the three dimensional structure of the enzyme. Nevirapine is a potent inhibitor of HIV replication and is a major component of highly reactive antiretroviral therapy (HAART) commonly being given in combination with one or two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

FDA approval information for Nevirapine

Nevirapine was approved for use in HIV infection in the United States in 1996 and is currently used in a high proportion of HAART regimens.

Dosage and administration for Nevirapine

Nevirapine is available in generic forms and under the brand name of Viramune in tablets of 200 mg. The usual dose is 200 mg daily for 2 weeks followed by 400 mg daily. Nevirapine is used in combination with other antiretroviral agents and is available in combinations with zidovudine and lamivudine. An oral suspension is also available for use in pediatrics.

Side effects of Nevirapine

Common side effects include rash (~20%), nausea, fatigue, fever and headache.