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Short answer Delavirdine and dependence: what to know Common questions Related questions SourcesNo, delavirdine is not addictive and does not cause a high, cravings, or withdrawal when you stop it.
Delavirdine (brand name Rescriptor) is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor that blocks an enzyme HIV needs to copy itself, and it works only as part of a combination regimen. It has no effect on the brain reward pathways involved in substance use disorders, so needing it every day is dependence on treatment, not addiction. The issue that does matter is consistency: skipped doses let the virus rebound and can create resistance that also weakens related HIV drugs. Delavirdine is no longer marketed in the United States, and most people now take newer once-daily regimens with fewer pills and fewer interactions. If you are on it, keep a current list of everything you take, since it interacts with many common medicines.
Delavirdine and dependence: what to know
Common questions
Is Delavirdine addictive?
No. Delavirdine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used with other HIV medicines. It does not act on the brain reward pathways, so it does not cause a high, cravings, or compulsive use, and stopping it does not cause withdrawal. The real risk runs the other way: missed doses let HIV multiply and can build resistance that makes delavirdine and similar drugs stop working. Delavirdine is no longer marketed in the United States, and most people now take newer, simpler regimens. It also interacts with many medicines, including some antacids and rifampin, so review your full list with your prescriber.