Viramune XR (Nevirapine)

Prescription medicineOnly Available By Prescription

Top brand choice

Strength Pack Size Qty
Strength
400mg
Pack Size
Qty
What if I find a lower price with another pharmacy?

We guarantee the lowest price on all of our prescription products. If you find your medications cheaper at any other recognized licensed mail order pharmacy, we will not only match their price, we will beat it by 25% of the difference. It is our 125% price match guarantee!

Example: If you find a product on Canada Drugs Direct for $50.00 and find the same product for $40.00 at another mail order pharmacy, we will provide you with a $12.50 discount, bringing your total to $37.50.

To get the discount please make sure to mention the price match to the customer service team when they call to collect payment for your order. Or call toll free at 1-888-904-8467 to place the order through the phone.

Terms & Conditions of Program

  • Guaranteed lowest price is only valid at the time of sale.
  • We will only match the current advertised price.
  • Products must be identical and in stock at the time of placing an order with a licensed mail order pharmacy. They must be an online Canadian pharmacy with an address in Canada.
  • Products must be authentic in brand and size (same manufacturer, same country of manufacture, same pack size, same strength and same quantity).
  • Products must be new. We cannot match the price of any used, short expiry or expired product.
  • Price match can only be issued over the phone with our customer service team. Please note at this time we cannot offer price matching for the products Ozempic or Saxenda.
What is a Generic Drug?

A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, consumption method, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug and works in the same way and in the same amount of time in the body.

The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is that generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (eg. different shape or color), as trademarks laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.

Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to develop a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name and sell it at a substantial discount.

Description

Viramune XR is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) used in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and children aged 6 years and older. It works by binding directly to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, blocking RNA- and DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activities and thereby inhibiting viral replication. Viramune XR is the extended-release formulation of nevirapine, allowing for once-daily dosing and improved patient adherence in chronic HIV therapy.

Fact Table

Formula

C15H14N4O

License

US FDA

Bioavailability

>90% (oral)

Legal status

Rx-only

Chemical Name

11-Cyclopropyl-5,11-dihydro-4-methyl-6H-dipyrido[3,2-b:2',3'-e][1,4]diazepin-6-one

Elimination half-life

25–30 hours (extended-release)

Dosage (Strength)

Viramune XR: 100 mg, 400 mg extended-release tablets

Pregnancy

Use only if clearly needed (Category B)

Brands

Viramune, Viramune XR

Protein binding

60%

PubChem CID

4463

MedlinePlus

a601002

ChEBI

CHEBI:7504

ATC code

J05AG01

DrugBank

DB00238

KEGG

D00434

Routes of administration

Oral

Directions

Viramune XR should be initiated in patients who have already completed a 14-day lead-in period with immediate-release Viramune (nevirapine IR 200 mg once daily) to reduce the risk of rash.

  • Adults: 400 mg once daily
  • Pediatrics (=6 years): Dose based on body surface area (BSA) using weight-based dosing charts provided in the prescribing information

Take with or without food, but do not crush or chew the extended-release tablets. Swallow whole. Dose adjustments may be needed for hepatic impairment or in combination with other CYP3A-modulating drugs.

Ingredients

Each extended-release tablet contains:

  • Nevirapine 400 mg (XR formulation)

Inactive ingredients may include:

  • Hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, and colorants

Contraindications

Viramune XR is contraindicated in patients with:

  • Moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B or C)
  • Female patients with CD4+ counts >250 cells/mm³ or male patients >400 cells/mm³, due to increased risk of hepatotoxicity (especially in treatment-naive patients)
  • Hypersensitivity to nevirapine or any excipients
  • Prior severe rash or hepatotoxicity due to nevirapine

Cautions

Boxed Warning: Serious and potentially fatal hepatotoxicity and severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), have occurred. Monitor liver function tests (AST, ALT) frequently during the first 18 weeks of therapy, then periodically thereafter. Discontinue permanently if severe rash or liver abnormalities develop. Use caution in patients with underlying hepatic disease, chronic hepatitis B or C, or those on hepatotoxic drugs. Avoid initiating in women with high CD4+ counts unless benefits outweigh risks.

Side Effects

Common and potential side effects include:

  • Rash (maculopapular, generally within first 6 weeks)
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Hepatotoxicity (elevated liver enzymes, jaundice)
  • Pruritus
  • Severe skin reactions (SJS, TEN – rare but life-threatening)
  • Rare: granulocytopenia, hypersensitivity reactions, liver failure

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information provided above is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical or veterinary advice. Always consult your physician, pharmacist, or veterinarian regarding the safety, suitability, and proper use of any medication for yourself or your pet.

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