[U.S. warns on some use of anti-AIDS drug]

The new way with nevirapine was reported to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the AIDS virus (HIV) that also is less costly and markedly more effective than the standard therapy with AZT in the third world. The more practical therapy comes from substituting one marketed drug, nevirapine, for the standard drug, AZT. It was proposed that widescale use of nevirapine in developing countries could potentially prevent 300,000 to 400,000 newborns each year from beginning life infected with HIV. But in September, 2000, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received reports of life-threatening hepatotoxicity (liver damage) among health care workers taking nevirapine for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after occupational exposure to HIV. Furthermore, persons taking nevirapine regimens for PEP after HIV exposure also are at risk for serious and adverse events. The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had identified 22 cases of severe liver, skin and muscle damage related to nevirapine taken after possible exposure to HIV from March 1997 through September 2000. Nevirapin has not been recommended for PEP use, and has previously been associated with instances of serious skin or muscle conditions, liver damage, and death when used for treating HIV-infected individuals. In most circumstances, the risks associated with nevirapine as part of an occupational PEP regimen might outweigh the anticipated benefits.