STAVUDINE

Who is Stavudine for ?

Stavudine is used in combination with other antiviral medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in patients with or without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Stavudine is also sometimes used in combination with other medications to prevent HIV infection in health care workers or other people who were accidentally exposed to HIV. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.

How does it work?

Stavudine is in a class of antiviral medications called nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). It works by slowing the spread of HIV in the body. Stavudine does not cure HIV and may not prevent you from developing HIV-related illnesses. Stavudine does not prevent the spread of HIV to other people.

When should I be careful taking Stavudine ?

Stavudine, when used alone or in combination with other antiviral medications, may cause serious and possibly deadly damage to the liver and pancreas and a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or pancreas disease or gallstones, and if you have taken medication to treat HIV for a long time. Also tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large quantities of alcohol and if you are taking didanosine (Videx) or hydroxyurea (Droxia, Hydrea). Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking stavudine, call your doctor.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: upset stomach, vomiting, unusual or unexpected stomach pain, sudden weight loss, extreme weakness or tiredness, shortness of breath, fast breathing, weakness in arms or legs, and any sudden change in your general health. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to stavudine.

Before taking stavudine,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to stavudine or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and zidovudine (Retrovir, also an ingredient in the combination products Combivir and Trizivir). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you more carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease, diabetes (if you are taking stavudine solution), or peripheral neuropathy (a type of nerve damage that causes tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet).
• tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You should not breastfeed if you are infected with HIV or if you are taking stavudine.
• you should know that stavudine may cause side effects that must be treated right away before they become serious. Children who are taking stavudine may not be able to tell you about the side effects they are feeling. If you are giving stavudine to a child, ask the child's doctor how you can tell if the child is having these serious side effects.
• you should know that your body fat may increase or move to different areas of your body such as your breasts and your upper back.

Side Effects

Stavudine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if either of these symptoms is severe or does not go away:

• headache
• diarrhea

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience the following symptoms or any of those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• numbness, tingling, burning or pain in the hands or feet
• difficulty moving your hands and feet
• rash

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands or feet
• difficulty moving hands or feet
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• unusual or unexpected stomach pain
• weakness or tiredness
• shortness of breath
• weakness in arms and legs