HIV POSITIVE Treatment
ddC (Dideoxycytidine, zalcitabine, HIVID)

ddC is a cytidine nucleoside anlaogue.

ddC is approved as a monotherapy treatment for HIV-infected people who have experienced disease progression while receiving AZT or who are intolerant to AZT, although the benefits of ddC in the population are unclear.

ddC is used in the treatment of the infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

ddC will not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS; however, it helps 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. ddC will not keep you from spreading HIV to other people. People who receive this medicine may continue to have other problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease.

ddC may cause some serious side effects, including peripheral neuropathy (a problem involving the nerves). Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include tingling, burning, numbness, or pain in the hands or feet. ddC may also cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Symptoms of pancreatitis include stomach pain, and nausea and vomiting. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF ANY NEW HEALTH PROBLEMS OR SYMPTOMS OCCUR WHILE YOU ARE TAKING ZALCITABINE.

ddC is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:
Oral


  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)


Before Using ddC

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ddC, the following should be considered:

Allergies:
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ddC. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

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

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

Children:
ddC can cause serious side effects in any patient. Therefore, it is especially important that you discuss with your child's doctor the good that this medicine may do as well as the risks of using it. Your child must be seen frequently and your child's progress carefully followed by the doctor while the child is taking ddC.

Older adults:
ddC 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 ddC, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:


  • Alcohol or
  • Asparaginase (e.g., Elspar) or
  • Azathioprine (e.g., Imuran) or
  • Estrogens (female hormones) or
  • Furosemide (e.g., Lasix) or
  • Methyldopa (e.g., Aldomet) or
  • Pentamidine by injection (e.g., Pentam, Pentacarinat) or
  • Sulfonamides (e.g., Bactrim, Septra) or
  • Sulindac (e.g., Clinoril) or
  • Tetracyclines or
  • Thiazide diuretics (water pills) (e.g., Diuril, Hydrodiuril) or
  • Valproic acid (e.g., Depakote) -- Use of these medicines with ddC may increase the chance of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
  • Aminoglycosides by injection (amikacin [e.g., Amikin], gentamicin [e.g., Garamycin], kanamycin [e.g., Kantrex], neomycin [e.g., Mycifradin], netilmicin [e.g., Netromycin], streptomycin, tobramycin [e.g., Nebcin]) or
  • Amphotericin B (e.g., Fungizone) or
  • Foscarnet (e.g., Foscavir) -- Use of these medicines with ddC may increase the chance of side effects
  • Antacids, aluminum-, and/or magnesium-containing (e.g., Maalox, Mylanta) -- Use of antacids with ddC may decrease the absorption of ddC; antacids and ddC should not be taken at the same time
  • Chloramphenicol (e.g., Chloromycetin) or
  • Cisplatin (e.g., Platinol) or
  • Dapsone (e.g., Avlosulfon) or
  • Didanosine (e.g. Videx, ddI) 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
  • Nitrous oxide or
  • Phenytoin (e.g., Dilantin) or
  • Stavudine (e.g., Zerit, d4T) or
  • Vincristine (e.g., Oncovin) -- Use of these medicines with ddC may increase the chance of peripheral neuropathy (tingling, burning, numbness, or pain in your hands or feet)
  • Cimetidine (e.g., Tagamet) or
  • Probenecid (e.g., Benemid) -- Use of these medicines with ddC may increase the chance of side effects of ddC
  • Nitrofurantoin (e.g., Furadantin, Macrodantin) -- Use of nitrofurantoin with ddC may increase the chance of side effects, including peripheral neuropathy (tingling, burning, numbness, or pain in your hands or feet) and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

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


  • Alcohol abuse or
  • Increased blood triglycerides (or a history of) or
  • Pancreatitis (or a history of) -- Patients with these medical problems may be at increased risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
  • Alcohol abuse, history of, or
  • Liver disease -- ddC may make liver disease worse in patients with liver disease or a history of alcohol abuse
  • Kidney disease -- Patients with kidney disease may have an increased chance of side effects
  • Peripheral neuropathy -- ddC may make this condition worse


Proper Use of ddC

ddC 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.

ddC must be taken for its full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better.

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. . To help maintain a constant ddC 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 your medicine with others.

Dosing:
The dose of ddC 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 ddC. 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 (tablets):
    -- For treatment of HIV infection:

    • Adults and children 13 years of age and older -- 0.75 milligrams (mg), together with 200 mg of zidovudine, every eight hours; or 0.75 mg alone every eight hours.
    • Children up to 12 years of age -- 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 Using ddC

    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 side effects from ddC.

    HIV may be acquired from or spread to other people through infected body fluids, including blood, vaginal fluid, or semen. If you are HIV positive, it is best to avoid any sexual contact involving an exchange of bodily fluids with sexual partners. If you do indulge in sexual activity, always wear or have your partner wear a condom. Only use condoms made of latex, and use them every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The use of a spermicide (such as nonoxynol-9) may also help prevent transmission of HIV if it is not irritating to the vagina, rectum, or mouth. Spermicides have been shown to kill HIV in lab tests. Do not use oil-based jelly, cold cream, baby oil, or shortening as a lubricant -- these products can cause condoms to break. Lubricants without oil, such as K-Y JELLY, are recommended. Women may wish to carry their own condoms. Birth control pills and diaphragms will help protect against pregnancy, but they will not prevent someone from giving or getting the AIDS virus. If you are an IV drug user, get help to stop. Never share needles or equipment with anyone. In some cities, more than half of the drug users are infected, and sharing even 1 needle or syringe can spread the virus. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional. You can get information about needle exchange programs in the "Resources & Assistance" section of this web site.


    Side Effects of ddC

    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, arms, feet, or legs

    Less common

    • Fever; joint pain; muscle pain; skin rash; ulcers in the mouth and throat

    Rare

    • Fever and sore throat; nausea and vomiting; stomach pain (severe); yellow eyes or skin

    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; headache

    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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