Basic
Informations
Zerit is an HIV medication. It
is in a category of HIV medications called nucleoside reverse
transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Zerit prevents HIV from altering
the genetic material of healthy CD4 cells. This prevents the cells
from producing new virus and decreases the amount of virus in the
body.
Zerit, manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb, was approved by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of HIV in 1994.
Three generic versions of stavudine have been approved for marketing
in the United States. They were approved by the FDA in December
2008.
Zerit must be used in combination with at least two other HIV drugs.
Drugs
Interactions
Zerit should not be combined
with Retrovir. They are "antagonistic," which means that they do not
work well together and can cause additional side effects.
Zerit should not be combined with ribavirin (Rebetol; Copegus).
Ribavirin is an oral medication used to treat hepatitis C. Ribavirin
can affect the way Zerit is broken down by the body into its active
form. This can make Zerit less effective against HIV.
Methadone, a painkiller used to treat heroin addiction, can decrease
Zerit levels in the bloodstream. Drug levels of methadone are not
changed when combined with Zerit. There is no need to change the
dose of either drug if they are used together.
Combining Zerit with Videx EC, another NRTI, may increase the risk
of developing lactic acidosis and other side effects. This is
especially true in HIV-positive pregnant women who take both of
these drugs together. In turn, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) has recommended that HIV-positive women not take these two
drugs together while they are pregnant. The Department of Health and
Human Services (DHHS) recommends that all HIV-infected adults and
children avoid using these drugs together.
Combining Zerit with Videx EC may increase the risk of developing
peripheral neuropathy, a side effect caused by both drugs. The
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recommends that all
HIV-infected adults and children avoid using these drugs together.
Side
Effects
Lactic acidosis, which can be
fatal, and severe liver problems (fatty liver) have been reported in
people taking NRTIs. Studies have demonstrated that Zerit is more
likely than other NRTIs to cause lactic acidosis, though it is still
considered to be a rare side effect. The risk of lactic acidosis
increases if Zerit is taken in combination with Videx/Videx EC
(ddI), another NRTI, or in combination with ribavirin (Rebetol;
Copegus), an antiviral drug commonly used to treat hepatitis C.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience nausea, vomiting,
or unusual or unexpected stomach discomfort; weakness and tiredness;
shortness of breath; weakness in the arms and legs; yellowing of the
skin or eyes; or pain in the upper stomach area.
Fatal and nonfatal pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) has
occurred with Zerit when taken in combination with Videx and other
HIV drugs. Symptoms of pancreatitis include stomach pain, nausea, or
vomiting. If you notice these symptoms, stop taking Zerit, and call
your doctor right away.
A common side effect of Zerit is peripheral neuropathy, which can
result in pain, tingling, numbness, or burning in the hands and/or
feet. Stopping Zerit and starting another nucleoside reverse
transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that does not usually cause
peripheral neuropathy—for example, Retrovir or Ziagen (abacavir)—is
often the best way to stop peripheral neuropathy.
Less common side effects include allergic reactions, loss of
appetite, bone pain (arthralgia), stomach upset, headache, problems
sleeping, muscle pain (myalgia), diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, anemia,
and pancreatitis. These side effects improve within a few
months/weeks of starting Zerit.
There has been some concern that Zerit might cause, or at least
contribute to, changes in body fat (lipodystrophy), most notably a
loss of fat in the arms, legs, and face (lipoatrophy). A number of
studies have demonstrated that Zerit is more likely to cause this
problem than other NRTIs, particularly when it is used in
combination with a protease inhibitor (protease inhibitors are also
believed to cause changes in body fat). If you notice that the layer
of fat beneath your skin in your arms, legs, or face appears to be
becoming thinner—sunken cheeks and veiny arms and legs are common
symptoms—you should discuss this with your doctor. If you and your
doctor suspect that Zerit might be to blame, one option might be to
stop therapy with Zerit and switch to another nucleoside reverse
transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). |
