NDA warns of side-effects HIV drugs

Feb 27, 2018

According to a survey carried out by the drugs body, children who take Nevirapine always experience hypersensitivity which may have fatal outcomes.

HEALTH

KAMPALA - The National Drug Authority (NDA) has issued a warning to parents and caretakers of children and infants using Nevirapine syrup to immediately seek medical attention in case a child develops a rash on their body.

Nevirapine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) approved for the treatment of HIV infection in adults and children.

According to a survey carried out by the drugs body, children who take Nevirapine always experience hypersensitivity which may have fatal outcomes.

"When children develop rash due to Nevirapine hypersensitivity and the caretakers do not seek treatment or practice proper hygiene, the rash may become infected and the infection deteriorates into septicaemia."

Approximately 7% of patients who start taking Nevirapine-containing antiretroviral therapy experience hypersensitivity, which may manifest as rashes, hepatotoxicity or both," said Helen Byomire Ndagije, the director of product safety at NDA.

Ndagije also warned that in infants and children on Nevirapine, the rash can be mistaken for a heat or nappy rash.

"Parents, guardians and caretakers of children and infants taking Nevirapine should report to a health worker the moment the child develops a rash," noted Ndagije.

Speaking to New Vision, Fredrick Ssekyana, the NDA spokesperson, also advised caretakers of children to handle the children with utmost hygiene to prevent the rash from getting infected. 

"Report adverse drug reactions and any other medicine related concerns to NDA by email at druginfo@nda.or.ug or Tel 0414-255665 or Whatsapp 0791415555," said Ssekyana.

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