Viramune

What side effects may occur?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue using Viramune.

• More common side effects may include:
  Abdominal pain, allergic reactions (including hives, blisters, mouth sores, or swollen mouth and throat), anemia, diarrhea, drowsiness, drug withdrawal, fat redistribution, fatigue, fever, headache, joint pain, liver damage, muscle aches, nausea, rash, tingling, vomiting

Why should Viramune not be prescribed?

If Viramune gives you an allergic reaction, you cannot use this drug.

You should also avoid Viramune if you have severe liver impairment.

Special warnings about Viramune

Viramune has been known to cause serious--even fatal--liver damage, especially during the first 18 weeks of therapy. People with hepatitis B or C and women with a CD4+ cell count above 250 are more likely to develop this problem. Overall, women are at greater risk than men. If you already have moderate liver impairment, use Viramune with caution, if at all. Warning signs of liver damage include fatigue, a vaguely ill feeling, poor appetite, nausea, yellowish skin or eyes, pale stools, dark urine, and tenderness in the midriff. Check with your doctor immediately if you develop these symptoms. If liver damage has occurred, you'll have to permanently discontinue Viramune therapy.

You should know that HIV medications also cause a redistribution of fat in some people, increasing the amount of fat found around the middle and on the upper back, and reducing the amount of fat in the arms, legs, and face.

Remember that Viramune does not completely eliminate HIV from the body. The virus can still be passed to others during sex or through blood contamination.

Though Viramune can slow the progress of HIV, it is not a cure. HIV-related infections remain a danger, so frequent check-ups and tests are still advisable.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Viramune

If Viramune is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Viramune with the following:

Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Efavirenz (Sustiva)
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Indinavir (Crixivan)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Lopinavir/Ritonavir (Kaletra)
Methadone (Dolophine)
Nelfinavir (Viracept)
Rifabutin (Mycobutin)
Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
St. John's wort
Saquinavir (Fortovase)
Zidovudine (Retrovir)

Viramune may interfere with birth control pills and other hormonal contraceptives. Do not use this form of contraception during Viramune therapy.