Zerit

Zerit

     * Generic Name: stavudine
     * Brand Name: Zerit


     * 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 (Zerit)?

What is stavudine (Zerit)?

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

   Stavudine is used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired
   immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Stavudine is not a cure for HIV
   or AIDS.

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

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

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   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; or
     * signs of liver or pancreas problems--loss of appetite, upper
       stomach pain (that may spread to your back), nausea or vomiting,
       fast heart rate, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the
       skin or eyes).

   Stavudine affects your immune system, which may cause certain side
   effects (even weeks or months after you've taken this medicine). Tell
   your doctor if you have:
     * signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands,
       cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss;
     * trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye
       movement, weakness or prickly feeling; or
     * swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual
       changes, impotence.

   Common side effects may include:
     * headache;
     * nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
     * rash; or
     * changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your
       arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

   Do not take this medicine with didanosine or zidovudine, or with any
   other medicine that contains stavudine.

   You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in
   your blood. Call your doctor or get emergency medical help if you have
   unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, dizziness,
   feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

   Stavudine can also cause serious or life-threatening effects on your
   liver or pancreas. Call your doctor at once if you have: stomach pain
   or swelling, fever, nausea, vomiting, easy bruising or bleeding, loss
   of appetite, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

   Zerit Patient Information including How Should I Take
   HIV AIDS: Myths and Facts on Symptoms and Treatments

   HIV AIDS Myths and Facts Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the HIV/AIDS Quiz
   AIDS Retrospective:Pictorial Timeline of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic

   AIDS Retrospective Slideshow Pictures

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking stavudine
(Zerit)?

   You should not take stavudine if you are allergic to it. Do not take
   this medicine with didanosine or zidovudine, or with any other medicine
   that contains stavudine.

   Stavudine 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.

   Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
     * kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
     * liver disease, including hepatitis C;
     * diabetes (stavudine liquid may contain sucrose);
     * gallstones;
     * numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet;
     * problems with your pancreas; or
     * if you drink large amounts of alcohol.

   You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in
   your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical
   conditions, if you've taken HIV medication for a long time, or if you
   are a woman. Ask your doctor about your risk.

   Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, and use your medications properly
   to control your infection. HIV can be passed to your baby if the virus
   is not controlled during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on a
   registry to track any effects of antiviral medicine on the baby.

   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.

How should I take stavudine (Zerit)?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all
   medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally
   change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

   Take your doses at regular intervals to keep a steady amount of the
   drug in your body at all times. You may take stavudine with or without
   food.

   Shake the liquid medicine before you measure a dose. Use the dosing
   syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a
   kitchen spoon).

   Stavudine doses are based on weight (especially in children and
   teenagers). Your dose needs may change if you gain or lose weight.

   You will need frequent medical tests.

   Use all HIV medications as directed and read all medication guides you
   receive. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your
   doctor's advice. Every person with HIV should remain under the care of
   a doctor.

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

   Store stavudine liquid in the refrigerator, do not freeze. Throw away
   any unused liquid after 30 days.

   Zerit Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   HIV AIDS: Myths and Facts on Symptoms and Treatments

   HIV AIDS Myths and Facts Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the HIV/AIDS Quiz
   AIDS Retrospective:Pictorial Timeline of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic

   AIDS Retrospective Slideshow Pictures

What happens if I miss a dose (Zerit)?

   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.

   Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine
   completely.

What happens if I overdose (Zerit)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking stavudine (Zerit)?

   Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of pancreas or liver
   damage.

   Using this medicine will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do
   not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with
   your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex.
   Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy
   person.

What other drugs will affect stavudine (Zerit)?

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

   This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect stavudine, including
   prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal
   products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information (Zerit)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about stavudine.
     __________________________________________________________________

   Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
   children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
   medication only for the indication prescribed.
   Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by
   Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
   but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
   herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
   use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
   therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United
   States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
   Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
   recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational
   resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring
   for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a
   supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill,
   knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a
   warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be
   construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe,
   effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume
   any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the
   aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is
   not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions,
   warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If
   you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your
   doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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