HIV POSITIVE Treatment
d4T (Stavudine, Zerit)

d4T is a dideoxynucleoside pyrimidine analogue (2'3'-didehydro-3'-deoxythymidine).


The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved d4T for patients who can not tollerate AZT. However, when and why the drug should be used remains undetermined.

d4T may help HIV patients who have become resistant to AZT and other antiviral drugs.

Stavudine, Zerit (also known as d4T) is used in the treatment of the infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is the virus responsible for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

d4T has not been shown to cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS; however, it helps to keep HIV from reproducing and appears to slow down the destruction of the immune system. This may help delay the development of problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease. d4T will not keep you from spreading HIV to other people. People who receive this medicine may continue to have the problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease.

d4T may cause some serious side effects, including peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include tingling, burning, numbness, and pain in the hands or feet.
Call your doctor if any new health problems or symptoms occur while you are taking d4T.

d4T is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the form of Oral Capsules (U.S.)


Before Using d4T

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the rewards. For d4T, the following should be considered:

Allergies:
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to d4T. Also tell your health care professionals if you have any other allergies, no matter how insignificant they may seem.

Pregnancy:
d4T has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that d4T causes birth defects when given in very high doses. Before taking d4T, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if there is a risk that you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding:
It is not known whether d4T passes into the breast milk. However, if your baby does not already have the AIDS virus, there is a chance that you could pass HIV to your baby by breast-feeding. Talk to your doctor first if you are thinking about breast-feeding your baby.

Children:
Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of d4T in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults:
d4T has not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it is not known whether it causes different side effects or problems in the elderly than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines:
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking d4T, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

  • Chloramphenicol (e.g., Chloromycetin) or
  • Cisplatin (e.g., Platinol) or
  • Dapsone (e.g., Avlosulfon) or
  • Didanosine (e.g. ddI, Videx) or
  • Ethambutol (e.g., Myambutol) or
  • Ethionamide (e.g., Trecator-SC) or
  • Hydralazine (e.g., Apresoline) or
  • Isoniazid (e.g., Nydrazid) or
  • Lithium (e.g., Eskalith, Lithobid) or
  • Metronidazole (e.g., Flagyl) or
  • Nitrofurantoin (e.g., Macrodantin) or
  • Phenytoin (e.g., Dilantin) or
  • Vincristine (e.g., Oncovin) or
  • Zalcitabine (e.g. ddC, HIVID) -- Combined use of these medicines with d4T may increase the chance of peripheral neuropathy (tingling, burning, numbness, or pain in your hands or feet)

Other medical problems:
Other medical problems may affect the use of d4T. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Alcohol abuse, active or a history of, or
  • Liver disease -- d4T may make liver disease worse in patients with liver disease, active alcohol abuse, or a history of alcohol abuse
  • Kidney disease -- Patients with kidney disease may have an increased chance of side effects
  • Peripheral neuropathy -- d4T may make this condition worse


Proper Use of d4T

d4T should be taken exactly as your doctor directs without variation. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Also, do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor first.

d4T must be taken for its full time of treatment, do not stop even if you begin to feel better.

d4T works best when blood levels are constant. To help maintain a constant d4T level, do not miss any doses. If you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your health care professional.

Only take medicine that your doctor has prescribed specifically for you. Do not share any medication with others.

Dosing:
The dose of d4T will be different for different patients. Be sure to follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of d4T. Your dose may be different if you have kidney disease.
If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to:

  • For ORAL dosage form (capsules):
  • For treatment of HIV infection:
  • Adults and teenagers weighing 60 kilograms (kg) (132 pounds) or more -- 40 milligrams (mg) two times a day.
  • Adults and teenagers weighing up to 60 kg (132 pounds) -- 30 mg two times a day.
  • Children -- Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose:
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage:
To store this medicine:

  • Keep out of the reach of children.
  • Store away from heat and direct light.
  • Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
  • Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.


Precautions While Taking d4T


It is extremely improtant for your doctor to check your progress at regular intervals.

Never take any other mecications without frist checking with your doctor, doing so may increase the chance of d4T side effects.


Side Effects of d4T


Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Call your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

  • Tingling, burning, numbness, or pain in the hands or feet

Less common

  • Fever; joint pain; muscle pain; skin rash

Rare

  • Nausea and vomiting; stomach pain (severe); unusual tiredness or weakness

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Less common

  • Diarrhea; difficulty in sleeping; headache; lack of strength or energy; loss of appetite

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

DISCLAIMER: The information about drugs featured by HIVpositive.us is general in nature and is intended for educational use. It does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of any medicines, nor is the information intended as medical advice for individual problems or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of taking a particular drug.
See "Full Disclaimer."

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