Stavudin (other name Zerit)

Common use

Zerit is an antiviral medicine that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body. Zerit is used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Zerit is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Dosage and direction

Take Zerit exactly as it was prescribed for you. Take your doses at regular intervals to keep a steady amount of the drug in your body at all times. You may take Zerit with or without food. Stavudine doses are based on weight (especially in children and teenagers). Your dose needs may change if you gain or lose weight. Usual Adult Dose for HIV Infection: Less than 60 kg: 30 mg orally every 12 hours; 60 kg or more: 40 mg orally every 12 hours.

Precautions

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of pancreas or liver damage.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had: kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); liver disease, including hepatitis C; diabetes (Zerit liquid may contain sucrose); gallstones; numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet; problems with your pancreas; or if you drink large amounts of alcohol.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, and use your medications properly to control your infection.
Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

Contraindications

You should not take Zerit if you are allergic to stavudine. Do not take this medicine with didanosine or zidovudine, or with any other medicine that contains stavudine.
Zerit can cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver or pancreas. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease or a history of pancreatitis.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Zerit: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Mild symptoms of lactic acidosis may worsen over time, and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have: unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, irregular heart rate, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.
Call your doctor at once if you have: numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet; weakness in your legs, feet, arms, or hands; liver problems - swelling around your midsection, right-sided upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or pancreatitis - fever, severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting.
Common Zerit side effects may include: weakness, numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; rash; or headache.

Drug interaction

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially: hydroxyurea.

Missed dose

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store Zerit capsules at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed. Keep away from children.