Important note: Information in this article was accurate in April 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.A study reported at the recent Chicago conference suggest that women are more likely to develop rash, especially severe rash, as a side effect of the anti-HIV drug nevirapine compared to men. Researchers looked at the medical records for 85 women and 176 men receiving nevirapine-containing anti-HIV regimens between 9/93 and 9/98. Overall, 26 people developed rash within the first 90 days of taking nevirapine, of whom twelve were women. Mild rashes were seen in four women and 13 men, whereas severe rashes were seen in eight women and one man.
In this study, rash was more likely seen in people with higher CD4+ cell counts (e.g. greater than 200), but was unaffected by differences in age, race or concurrent use of other medications. In other studies of nevirapine, severe rash was seen in only about 3% of people taking the drug. Overall, however, 85% of participants in studies of nevirapine have been men, so it is not clear how well this figure applies to women.
These recent findings underscore the need for including greater numbers of women in studies of new therapies, so that when gender differences exist they are readily apparent from early study results. Additionally, they suggest that women using nevirapine take special care to watch out for the development of rash and perhaps to use pretreatment, such as Benadryl®, to minimize the risk. It is common when using nevirapine to start therapy at half the standard dose for the first few weeks to minimize the risk of rash. Based on this new data, this practice may be even more important in women than in men.
990401
PI990406
AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Roxane Laboratories, Inc., iMetrikus, Inc., the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1999. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1985, 2000. AEGiS & the Sisters of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS and the Sisters of Saint. Elizabeth of Hungary, or the party credited as the provider of the content.