Is nevirapine dose-escalation appropriate in young, African, HIV-infected children?

Fillekes, Q; Mulenga, V; Kabamba, D; Kankasa, C; Thomason, M; Cook, A; Chintu, C; Gibb, D; Walker, A; Burger, D

Journal article

Is nevirapine dose-escalation appropriate in young, African, HIV-infected children?

Abstract:: OBJECTIVES: Young children metabolize nevirapine faster than older children/adults. We evaluated nevirapine pharmacokinetics with or without dose-escalation in Zambian, HIV-infected infants/children and its relationship with safety/efficacy. DESIGN: A retrospective pharmacokinetic substudy of the CHAPAS-1 trial. METHODS: HIV-infected, Zambian children were randomized to initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) with full-dose twice-daily nevirapine versus 2-week nevirapine dose-escalation. Samples taken 3-4 h postmorning-dose 2 weeks after nevirapine initiation were assayed for nevirapine levels. Viral load was measured on available samples at weeks 4 and 48; adverse events were prospectively reported. RESULTS: Of 162 (77%) children with week-2 samples, 79 (49%) were randomized to nevirapine dose-escalation. At ART initiation, median [interquartile range (IQR)] age, weight and CD4% were 5.2 (1.5-8.7) years, 13.0 (8.1-19.0) kg and 13 (8-18)%, respectively; 81 (50%) were male. With full dose, few children aged less than 2 years (3/23, 13%) or more than 2 years (4/60, 7%) had subtherapeutic nevirapine levels (defined as <3.0 mg/l), but with dose-escalation, seven out of 22 (32%) aged less than 2 years versus seven out of 57 (12%) more than 2 years had subtherapeutic nevirapine levels (P=0.05). There was no difference between week-2 nevirapine levels in those with viral load more than 250 versus less than 250 copies/ml at week 4 (P=0.97) or week 48 (P=0.40). Eleven out of 162 children had grade 1/2 rash; all were more than 2 years of age (P=0.04), and 10 were randomized to full dose. CONCLUSION: Subtherapeutic nevirapine levels 3-4 h postdose were more frequent in young children on dose-escalation. Younger children were at lower risk for rash. To simplify ART initiation and reduce the risk of suboptimal dosing, full-dose nevirapine at ART initiation should be considered for African HIV-infected children less than 2 years of age.

Publication status:: Published

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APA Style

Fillekes, Q., Mulenga, V., Kabamba, D., Kankasa, C., Thomason, M., Cook, A., Chintu, C., Gibb, D., Walker, A., & Burger, D. (2013). Is nevirapine dose-escalation appropriate in young, African, HIV-infected children? AIDS (London, England), 27(13), 2111–2115.

MLA Style

Fillekes, Q, et al. “Is Nevirapine Dose-Escalation Appropriate in Young, African, HIV-Infected Children?” AIDS (London, England), vol. 27, no. 13, 2013, pp. 2111–15.

Chicago Style

Fillekes, Q, V Mulenga, D Kabamba, et al. 2013. “Is Nevirapine Dose-Escalation Appropriate in Young, African, HIV-Infected Children?” AIDS (London, England) 27 (13): 2111–15.
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