How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient stavudine (also known as d4T), which is a type of medicine called a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. It is used in the treatment of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is caused by infection with HIV. This virus invades cells of the immune system, particularly the white blood cells known as CD4 T-helper lymphocytes. These cells normally work to activate other cells in the immune system to fight infection. Since HIV kills CD4 T-helper cells, over time the body becomes less able to fight the virus or subsequent infections. Once the virus is inside the CD4 T-cell it multiplies. Part of the process of viral multiplication involves the conversion of the virus genetic material, RNA, into DNA. This is achieved by a compound essential to the virus, called reverse transcriptase. Reverse transcriptase is a compound known as an enzyme. Stavudine works by blocking the action of this enzyme, thereby interfering with the conversion of viral RNA into DNA. This stops the virus from multiplying. There is no cure for HIV, but stavudine is one of a number of medications that lowers the amount of virus in the body (viral load) and slows the progression of the disease from HIV to AIDS. Stavudine is used in conjunction with other anti-HIV drugs that attack the HIV virus in different ways. This helps prevent the virus becoming resistant to the medicine.

What is it used for?

HIV infection

Warning!

Your liver functioning should be monitored while you are taking this medicine. Symptoms that may suggest a liver problem include persistent nausea and vomiting, or the development of jaundice (a yellow colouring to the skin and the whites of the eyes). Consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience persistent numbness, tingling or pain in your feet and/or hands while taking this medicine, as this could be indicative of a nerve problem called peripheral neuropathy.

The use of this medicine has not been investigated in children under three months or elderly patients over 65 years.

Consult your doctor if your experience the following symptoms while taking this medicine, as they may be indicative of a serious condition called lactic acidosis: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, general feeling of illness, loss of appetite, weight loss, rapid and/or weak breathing, weakness.

This medicine should ideally be taken an hour before food on an empty stomach, but if this is not possible it can be taken with a light meal.

After the Zerit powder has been reconstituted it should be kept refrigerated at 2-8 degrees centigrade.

Use with caution in

Decreased kidney function

History of pancreatitis

History of persistent numbness, tingling or pain in the hands and/or feet, caused by a disorder of the nerves (peripheral neuropathy)

Liver disease

People with raised liver enzymes

Not to be used in

Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is recommended that women infected with the HIV virus must not breastfeed their infants under any circumstances, in order to avoid transmission of the virus to the baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)

Depression

Sweating

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

Cold or flu-like symptoms

Disorder of the peripheral nerves causing weakness and numbness (peripheral neuropathy)

Dizziness

Loss of appetite

Difficulty in breathing (dyspnoea)

Weakness or loss of strength (asthenia)

Elevated levels of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis)

Chest pain

Liver disorders

Anxiety

Pain in the muscles and joints

Rash or itching

Unusual lumps or swellings

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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