Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Zerit

Generic Name: stavudine (Pronunciation: STA vue deen)

• What is stavudine (Zerit)?
• What are the possible side effects of stavudine (Zerit)?
• What is the most important information I should know about stavudine (Zerit)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking stavudine (Zerit)?
• How should I take stavudine (Zerit)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Zerit)?
• What happens if I overdose (Zerit)?
• What should I avoid while taking stavudine (Zerit)?
• What other drugs will affect stavudine (Zerit)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is stavudine (Zerit)?

Stavudine is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

Stavudine is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Stavudine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Stavudine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of stavudine (Zerit)?

Stop using stavudine and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:

• liver damage - nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• lactic acidosis - muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired;
• pancreatitis - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
• peripheral neuropathy - numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet;
• high blood sugar - increased thirst, fruity breath odor, increased urination, drowsiness, dry skin, nausea, and vomiting; or
• any signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), mouth sores, or unusual weakness.

Less serious side effects may include:

• diarrhea;
• muscle pain;
• headache;
• mild skin rash; or
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about stavudine (Zerit)?

Some people have developed a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking stavudine. Early signs of lactic acidosis generally get worse over time and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.

Stavudine can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver or pancreas. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms while taking stavudine: severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, fast heart rate, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Before taking stavudine, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, a history of pancreatitis, or if you have used a medicine similar to stavudine in the past, such as abacavir (Ziagen), didanosine (Videx), lamivudine (Epivir), tenofovir (Viread), zalcitabine (Hivid), or zidovudine (Retrovir).