Question
How do I give my baby nevirapine syrup?
30 March 2024. Related: All topics, Children, Pregnancy.
Hi, I have a newborn, I was given NPV at the hospital but they don’t give me anything to administer it. I have a pacifier medicinal thingy for babies that I can use but the medication is too thick. Can I mix it with his formula when I feed him in the morning? Please help urgently.
Answer
Hi there
Nevirapine for your baby should come as a syrup. It should also come with small measuring syringes so that you can get the right dose.
The syringes do not have a needle.
Please use the syringe to give the syrup to your baby.
If you didn’t get syringes, please go to any pharmacy and explain the problem and they should help you.
This will be better than mixing it with formula milk if this is how you are feeding your baby because your baby might not drink all the milk so would not get the right dose.
Congratulations too on your new baby :)
More information
This link has more info about nevirapine syrup and how to give it to your baby.
http://www.bcwomens.ca/Professional-Resources-site/Documents/Oak%20Tree/Nevirapine%20drug%20information_Parent%20or%20Caregiver.pdf
Selected text includes:
- Nevirapine is available as a sweet flavored syrup. Each milliliter (mL) contains 10 mg of the medication (written as 10 mg/mL on the label).
- Nevirapine should be should be given once daily at the same time of day on the dates specified in the above schedule. The first dose will have already been given to the baby in hospital. Depending on when the baby goes home he/she may require the second and/or third doses to be given at home.
- Always measure each dose with the specially marked oral syringe provided.
- Nevirapine can be given before, after or during a feed. To give the medicine, gently place the oralsyringe in the baby’s mouth just inside the cheek and give 4 or 5 gentle pushes on the plunger of the syringe. Allow the baby to swallow the liquid between pushes on the plunger to ensure that the baby does not gag or choke. Ensure that the baby receives the full dose of nevirapine.
- It is not a good idea to mix nevirapine with the baby’s formula. The reason is that if the baby doesnot drink all of the formula, he/she will not get the full dose.
- Store the medication at room temperature. Do not store in your bathroom as heat and moisture may cause the medicine to lose its effectiveness.
- Keep out of the reach of children. The doctor or the Poison Control Centre should be contacted in the event of accidental ingestion of this or any other medication.
What should you do if your baby MISSES a dose
- If you forget to give your baby his/her dose of nevirapine, give it to him/her as soon as possible. If it is the next day, give the baby his/her missed dose and carry on with the regular schedule.
- If your baby vomits within 15 minutes of the dose, give another dose if possible. If it is more than 15 minutes after the dose, do NOT give another dose just wait until the next regular dose.
- It is very important not to miss any doses of this medicine. If you are having trouble remembering to give this medication, you may find it helpful to set an alarm on your watch or your phone to help to remind you.
Hello Ashley and thanks for getting in touch.
Congratulations on the new baby – you must be over the moon :)
You need to have a discussion with your clinic about that as the guidelines are different in every country and I don’t know the guidelines in your setting.
I am sending you the information we use in the UK for breastfeeding as I think you will find it useful:
https://www.bhiva.org/file/5bfd3080d2027/BF-Leaflet-1.pdf
https://www.bhiva.org/file/5bfd308d5e189/BF-Leaflet-2.pdf
Here we advise against mixed feeding, which means for us going straight to formula would be advisable.
We also advise against breastfeeding if your skin is not intact.
Please remember: the most important thing is that you are undetectable.
That is the best protection for you and your baby.
Please keep up the good work you are doing.
We know that taking medication with a newborn can be challenging.
You are doing very well. Don’t worry.
Good day
My viral load is 21 copies undetectable.
I am breastfeeding but my breast had cracked nipples although they were not bleeding. I didnt know I am not supposed to breastfeed when their cracked.
I want to change her to formula but its not easy. Should I cut her off completely when I introduce formula or is it okay to wean her off and mixfeed for a week or so?
Hello Ashley and thanks for getting in touch.
Congratulations on the new baby – you must be over the moon :)
You need to have a discussion with your clinic about that as the guidelines are different in every country and I don’t know the guidelines in your setting.
I am sending you the information we use in the UK for breastfeeding as I think you will find it useful:
https://www.bhiva.org/file/5bfd3080d2027/BF-Leaflet-1.pdf
https://www.bhiva.org/file/5bfd308d5e189/BF-Leaflet-2.pdf
Here we advise against mixed feeding, which means for us going straight to formula would be advisable.
Good day.
I am an HIV positive mom with an undectectable viral load. I am breastfeeding but my breast gives me problems here and there so I want to stop and give my baby formula. I don’t want to risk her health.
Does it put her at risk of transmission if I stop breastfeeding quickly and give her formula from today? Or should I wean her off for about a week? I don’t know how to go about this.
Please advice.
Hi Ashley, it sounds like it might be better to use formula milk for feeding until your skin has healed and is less painful. Please talk to your doctor or clinic about this so they can physically see the skin and give you the best advice.
hi.
i have an undetectable viral load for years now, my baby is a month old and am breastfeeding. i have cracked nipples but not coming blood but very painful. my baby takes NVP and zidov. Is she at risk of transmission coz of the cracked nipples?
Hello Ashley and thank you for the question.
Congratulations on the new baby, you must be very happy.
Let me start by saying that nothing you write seems worrying to me – please don’t worry.
Have you discussed the dosing of the medication with your clinic?
The doses for babies are calculated based on weight and a dose twice a day might be indicated in your guidelines.
We are based in the UK so I can’t be sure of the exact details of your guidelines.
You need to discuss with your doctor or pharmacist for accurate instructions.
As for the timing – giving the doses within an hour (between 8-9) is absolutely acceptable and will not affect your baby in any negative way.
You are doing excellent work.
Please don’t worry. Everything will be alright.
hi.
my baby is 3 weeks, i was told to give nvp twice a day 2ml and zidovu syrup. 0.8 twice.is this correct, can it be given twice coz i see othrs its once.
and also in the morning i wsnt giving it at the same time everyday. sometime it wld be 8 smtyms 9. is this dangerous.
am stressed out.
now that i remember i must give it at the same time i do.my baby is 3 weeks.
Hi Zanele, please speak to the clinic or pharmacy that gave you the meds and the syringe. i-Base can’t advise on dosing in this situation.
Hi
The hospital gave me a small syringe that is up to 2ml and was told to give my baby 1.5 she just turned one month should i continue with the small syringe (the 2ml one)or use the big syringe that i was given with the new bottle of nevapire from the clinic that is 10ml