title: Safety of single-dose nevirapine for prevention of vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nevirapine administered as a single dose each to the mother and child within 72 h after birth is used to prevent vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) under the prevention of parent to child transmission of HIV program (PPTCT). The efficacy of nevirapine in this regard has been proved beyond doubt, but there are unresolved questions about its safety. Hence, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of this regime.
  
  
  METHODS
  HIV-positive pregnant women who consented to participate in the study received a single oral dose of 200 mg nevirapine at the onset of labor followed by administration of 2 mg/kg of nevirapine syrup to the newborn within 72 h of birth. Both mother and child were followed up for 1 week postpartum to note the occurrence of any adverse reactions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mother and child followed up for 1 week postpartum did not show any serious adverse reactions in the present study. Mothers reported adverse reactions like nausea, vomiting, and headache which were self-limiting and did not require any intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study substantiates the safety of nevirapine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Miraj, India.
authors.forename: Mangala Bhaskar
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Murthy
authors.forename: Bhaskar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krishnamurthy