Influence of rifampicin on nevirapine plasma concentration in HIV-TB coinfected patients.

AIM: to evaluate the influence of rifampicin on nevirapine plasma concentration in HIV-TB coinfected patients.
METHODS: this was a cross sectional study on 40 HIV patients (16 with HIV-TB coinfection, and 24 HIV without TB) conducted in HIV-AIDS study group (Pokdisus AIDS) of Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta in October-November 2008. Those who had consumed both drugs for at least 2 weeks were recruited. Plasma nevirapine level was measured by using HPLC method, and the comparison between the two groups was done by unpaired t-test.
RESULTS: Nevirapine plasma level (mean±SD) in HIV patient was 7.5±2.2 ug/ml, while in HIV-TB patients it was 5.5±2.7 ug/ml (p=0.018). In most of patients receiving rifampicin, the plasma nevirapine concentration was still in therapeutic range.
CONCLUSION: co-administration of rifampicin was associated with a significant decrease in nevirapin plasma concentration. However, this level was still in therapeutic range.