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Drug interactions

Artesunate + Nevirapine

Severity: Moderate

Artesunate and Nevirapine: moderate interaction.

Last updated

For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.

Summary

Nevirapine may reduce exposure to dihydroartemisinin, the active metabolite of artesunate, by inducing metabolic enzymes. This may reduce antimalarial efficacy.

What this interaction means in plain words

Artesunate and Nevirapine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.

Artesunate belongs to Anti Parasitic; Nevirapine belongs to Anti Virals.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Nevirapine induces CYP enzymes and UGT-mediated clearance, lowering active artesunate metabolite exposure.

What to do

Use the full recommended artesunate course and monitor parasitological and clinical response. Consider follow-up testing for recrudescence.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Should I take them at different times of day?
  • Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
  • Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Artesunate with Nevirapine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Artesunate and Nevirapine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Nevirapine may reduce exposure to dihydroartemisinin, the active metabolite of artesunate, by inducing metabolic enzymes. This may reduce antimalarial efficacy.

How serious is the interaction between Artesunate and Nevirapine?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the full recommended artesunate course and monitor parasitological and clinical response. Consider follow-up testing for recrudescence.

What other medicines interact with Nevirapine?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Nevirapine with, for example, Elbasvir / grazoprevir, Ranolazine, St john's wort. The full list is on the Nevirapine page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

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