[Rashes in HIV-infected patients undergoing therapy with nevirapine or efavirenz]. / Arzneimittelexantheme bei Therapie der HIV-Infektion mit Efavirenz und Nevirapin.

ABSTRACT

Efavirenz and nevirapine are frequently used drugs in antiretroviral therapy. Rashes are common side effects of these drugs. In this study, we examined the characteristics of efavirenz- and nevirapine-associated rashes. This prospective nonrandomized multicenter study included 662 HIV-infected patients (efavirenz 325, nevirapine 337) to determine incidence, duration, cross-reactivity, and outcome upon reexposure. Of the treated patients, 4.5% (n=30) developed rashes (nevirapine 2.4% and efavirenz 6.4%). In four patients treatment was not interrupted. Three patients were re-exposed to the initial drug without any side effects. Therapy with nevirapine or efavirenz does not have to be interrupted if rashes exhibit no blistering, mucosal manifestations, or systemic signs.