Zerit XR
Generic Name: stavudine (STA vue deen)
Brand Names: Zerit
What is Zerit XR (stavudine)?
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 is the most important information I should know about Zerit XR (stavudine)?
Stavudine may cause lactic acidosis (the build up of lactic acid in the body). Lactic acidosis can start slowly and gradually get worse. Symptoms include unusual muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, and feeling very weak or tired. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms, even if they are only mild. Early signs of lactic acidosis generally get worse over time and this condition can be fatal. 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).What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Zerit XR (stavudine)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to stavudine.If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before taking stavudine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
-
diabetes; or
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a history of pancreatitis.
Your name may need to be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry when you start using stavudine. The purpose of this registry is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and delivery to evaluate whether stavudine had any effect on the baby.
You should not breast-feed while you are using stavudine. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus to the baby in your breast milk.If you have diabetes, you should know that the liquid form of this medication contains 50 milligrams (mg) of sucrose (sugar) per milliliter (mL). This is equal to 250 milligrams of sugar per teaspoon (5 mL) of stavudine liquid.
How should I take Zerit XR (stavudine)?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Take stavudine with a full glass of water.Stavudine can be taken with or without food.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.It is important to use stavudine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any visits to your doctor.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the oral liquid in the refrigerator but do not let it freeze. Throw away any leftover medication after 30 days.What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling, nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).What should I avoid while taking Zerit XR (stavudine)?
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking stavudine. Alcohol may increase the risk of damage to the pancreas and/or liver.Taking stavudine will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people through unprotected sex or sharing of needles. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.
Zerit XR (stavudine) side effects
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);
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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;
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peripheral neuropathy - numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet;
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high blood sugar - increased thirst, fruity breath odor, increased urination, drowsiness, dry skin, nausea, and vomiting; or
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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:
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diarrhea;
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muscle pain;
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headache;
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mild skin rash; or
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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.
What other drugs will affect Zerit XR (stavudine)?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
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didanosine (Videx);
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hydroxyurea (Droxia, Hydrea);
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interferon-alfa (Roferon, Intron, Rebetron);
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ribavirin (Rebetol, Ribasphere, Copegus Virazole); or
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zidovudine (Retrovir).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with stavudine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
- 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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