Neverapine (Viramune), a non-nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor produced by Boehringer Ingelheim, has been approved by the FDA for HIV and will be marketed this month.
In studies, nevirapine increases the effectiveness of AZT in CD4 cell counts, but must be used with at least one other antiretroviral agent to avoid virus resistance. The most common side effect in controlled studies is a life-threatening rash that warrants discontinuance, after which it is reversible within 2 weeks to 1 month. Recommended dosage is 200 mg for 14 days followed by 200 mg twice daily with a nucleoside analogue antiretroviral agent.
