Drug interactions
Nevirapine + Saquinavir
Severity: Moderate
Nevirapine and Saquinavir: 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 can lower saquinavir levels and reduce antiviral effectiveness. Saquinavir is a CYP3A4 substrate and is only used with ritonavir boosting.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nevirapine and Saquinavir 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.
Why it happens
Nevirapine induces CYP3A4, increasing saquinavir clearance.
What to do
Use saquinavir only with ritonavir boosting and monitor HIV RNA. Consider an alternative protease inhibitor with better data with nevirapine.
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?
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Other interactions of Nevirapine
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Nevirapine Contraindicated
- Nevirapine + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Nevirapine + St john's wort Contraindicated
- Abemaciclib + Nevirapine Major
- Acalabrutinib + Nevirapine Major
- Amobarbital + Nevirapine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nevirapine with Saquinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nevirapine and Saquinavir 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 can lower saquinavir levels and reduce antiviral effectiveness. Saquinavir is a CYP3A4 substrate and is only used with ritonavir boosting.
How serious is the interaction between Nevirapine and Saquinavir?
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 saquinavir only with ritonavir boosting and monitor HIV RNA. Consider an alternative protease inhibitor with better data with nevirapine.
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.
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