Drug Name

Zerit (Stavudine)

Drug Uses

This medicine is a nucleoside analogue antiviral used in combination with other medicines to manage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

How Taken

The recommended dose for adults is 40 mg twice daily for those weighing 60 kg or more as well as 30 mg twice daily incase less than 60 kg. Children weighing less than 30 kg should receive 1 mg/kg. Children weighing 30 kg or more should be treated similar adults. Zerit may be administered without regard to meals.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Zerit is an oral medication that is used for the treatment of infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is in a class of drugs called reverse transcriptase inhibitors which as well as includes zalcitabine (Hivid), zidovudine (Retrovir), didanosine (Videx), as well as lamivudine (Epivir). During infection with HIV, the HIV virus multiplies within the body's cells. The newly-formed viruses then are released from the cells as well as spread throughout the body where they infect other cells. In this manner, the infection continually spreads to recent, uninfected cells that the body is continually producing, as well as HIV infection is perpetuated. When producing recent viruses, the HIV virus must manufacture recent DNA for each virus. Reverse transcriptase is the enzyme that the virus uses to form this recent DNA. Specifically, zerit is converted within the body to its active form (stavudine triphosphate). This active form is similar to thymidine triphosphate, a artificial that is required by the HIV virus to make recent DNA. The reverse transcriptase uses stavudine triphosphate instead of thymidine triphosphate for making DNA, as well as it is the stavudine triphosphate that interferes with the reverse transcriptase. Zerit does not kill existing HIV virus as well as it is not a cure for HIV.

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. Incase it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose as well as go back to your normal dosing schedule.

Storage

Store capsules at room temperature, 15-30°C (59-86°F). The moistureless powder for oral solution should be kept at room temperature as well as away form moisture. Solutions should be refrigerated.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not exceed the recommended dose without checking with your doctor. Exceeding the prescribed dose of this medicine may not provide additional benefits, as well as may increase the risks of side effects. Keep all doctor as well as laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine. Laboratory and/or health examination tests including liver function or renal function tests should be performed to monitor your progress as well as to check for side effects. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. It will not halt you from spreading HIV through sexual or blood contact. Incase you possess any questions concerning how to halt the spread of HIV, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This medicine will not halt other infections. Incase your health changes, check with your doctor. Before you begin using any recent medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Incase you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits as well as risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. It is unknown incase this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Likely Side Effects

The most very bad side effects are a decrease in blood cells, muscle pain (myopathy), pancreatitis, liver failure as well as metabolic disturbance (lactic acidosis). Zerit damages nerves as well as can cause a very bad peripheral neuropathy, a condition in which sensation in the legs and/or arms is altered or lost. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are tingling, numbness as well as pain in the feet or hands. Other side effects include chills, rash, abdominal pain, weight loss as well as insomnia.

More Information

Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not take this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Incase using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.