Pharmacokinetics and 48-week efficacy of nevirapine: 400 mg versus 600 mg per day in HIV-tuberculosis coinfection receiving rifampicin.
BACKGROUND
We aim here to determine the appropriate dose of nevirapine (NVP) in Thai HIV-tuberculosis (TB)-coinfected patients receiving rifampicin.


METHODS
Thirty-two HIV-infected adults with CD4+ T-cell counts <200 cells/mm3 and active TB, receiving rifampicin for 2-6 weeks were randomized to receive either NVP 400 mg (NVP400) or 600 mg (NVP600) per day plus two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors; a 2-week NVP lead-in was performed at 200 mg once daily (OD) and 200 mg twice daily, respectively. Plasma NVP levels were determined at weeks 2, 4 and 12. Twelve-hour pharmacokinetics (PK) were obtained (n=20) at week 4.


RESULTS
Baseline body weight was comparable. There were more patients with NVP plasma concentration at 12 h (C12) <3.1 mg/l at week 2 in NVP400 than in NVP600 (79% versus 19%, respectively; P=0.002). However, the proportions were comparable at weeks 4 and 12. From week 4, 12 h PK studies showed that NVP400 had lower median NVP area under the plasma concentration-0-12 h (AUC0-12 h, maximum concentration in plasma (Cmax) and C12 than NVP600 (P<0.05). Four patients in NVP600 developed NVP hypersensitivity. At week 48, the median CD4+ T-cell count rise and proportion with viral load <50 copies/ml (intention-to-treat analysis 56% versus 50% and as-treated analysis 75% versus 89%) were comparable.


CONCLUSIONS
In rifampicin-treated patients, 200 mg NVP OD lead-in led to a significant short-term suboptimal NVP C12 level, while NVP 400 mg lead-in then 600 mg/day was associated with a high rate of NVP hypersensitivity. Forty-eight week efficacy was comparable. Thus, NVP 600 mg/day in rifampicin-treated patients is not recommended.
Avihingsanon
Anchalee
A
HIV-NAT, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand.
Manosuthi
Weerawat
W
Kantipong
Pacharee
P
Chuchotaworn
Charoen
C
Moolphate
Saiyud
S
Sakornjun
Waraporn
W
Gorowara
Meena
M
Yamada
Norio
N
Yanai
Hideki
H
Mitarai
Satoshi
S
Ishikawa
Nobukatsu
N
Cooper
David A
DA
Phanuphak
Praphan
P
Burger
David
D
Ruxrungtham
Kiat
K
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019829:Nevirapine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012293:Rifampin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013785:Thailand; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D019829:Nevirapine; D012293:Rifampin