What Is Nevirapine XR Used For?

An Overview of Uses for Nevirapine XR

Nevirapine XR (Viramune^® XR™) is a prescription medication approved for use in combination with other drugs to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). It belongs to a group of medications known as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). It is an extended-release version of nevirapine and is taken just once a day.

 

AIDS was initially reported in the United States in 1981. Since then, it has become a significant worldwide epidemic. AIDS is caused by HIV. At first, an HIV infection usually does not cause any obvious symptoms (see HIV Symptoms), and most people have no idea they have been infected with the virus.

 

However, by killing or damaging the cells of the body's immune system, HIV will eventually begin to progressively destroy the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers (see AIDS Symptoms).

 

HIV is commonly spread through sexual contact with an infected partner. HIV transmission also happens through contact with infected blood, which frequently occurs among IV drug users who share needles or syringes contaminated with blood from someone infected with the virus. Women with HIV can transmit the virus to their babies during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.

 

Nevirapine XR is not intended to be used alone. Instead, it is used as part of an HIV "cocktail." These cocktails usually consist of three to five different HIV medications (technically known as highly active antiretroviral therapy, or HAART). Using a combination of medications helps to prevent the virus from becoming resistant to one or more of the drugs.

 

Nevirapine XR can damage the liver, and studies suggest this is more likely to occur in people with high CD4 cell counts (high levels of certain immune cells). Nevirapine XR should not be started in women with CD4 cell counts higher than 250 cells/mm³ or in men with CD4 cell counts higher than 400 cells/mm³.