Jaundice and hepatocellular damage associated with nevirapine therapy

OBJECTIVE: Nevirapine is a nonnucleoside reverse transcription inhibitor th at is used as part of highly active antiretroviral therapeutic combinations . Nevirapine has been associated with a skin rash in 32 to 48% of patients. Recent reports indicate that hepatic toxicity also occurs. METHODS: We describe four instances of reversible hepatocellular damage ass ociated with the use of nevirapine in patients with HIV infection. Two of t he four patients were also coinfected with the hepatitis C virus. RESULTS: Evidence of malaise, skin rash, and icteric hepatitis with pruritu s occurred 4-6 wk after the beginning of nevirapine therapy. No evidence of metabolic acidosis was present in any of our patients. In all cases, liver test results declined to normal or near normal levels, and pruritus disapp eared 4-6 wk after discontinuation of the medication. No patient was rechal lenged with the drug. CONCLUSION: Nevirapine can be associated with icteric hepatitis, which appe ars to be reversible after withdrawal of the drug. (C) 2001 by Am. Cell. of Gastroenterology.