Dose escalation or immediate full dose when switching from efavirenz to nevirapine-based highly active antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected individuals?

Abstract

Efavirenz induces the metabolism of co-administered drugs through the induction of CYP A4. It is often necessary to switch fron efavirenz to nevirapine because of intolerance or toxicity. In a pharmacokinetic study we determined whether to dose-escalate nevirapine or start the full dose when switching from efavirenz. It was found that when changing from efavirenz to nevirapine individuals should commence on 200 mg twice a day, as this dose is associated with therapeutic plasma drug levels.