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Zerit Medication (Stavudine) - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Stavudine

STAVUDINE, d4T (Zerit®) is an antiviral drug known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or NRTI. Zerit inhibits the reproduction of HIV in the body. In which, the body breaks down these drugs into chemicals that stop HIV from infecting uninfected cells in the body, but they do not help cells that have already been infected with the virus. You can also used Stavudine in combination with other drugs to treat the HIV virus.

Zerit Dosage

• For adults weighing 132 pounds or more, the usual dose is 40 milligrams every 12 hours. But for those under 132 pounds, the dose is 30 milligrams every 12 hours.
• The usual starting dose for children weighing less than 66 pounds is 1 milligram per 2.2 pounds of body weight every 12 hours.

Uses of Zerit

• Zerit is used to treat the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
• It is also used to treat other medications those listed in the medication guide.

Side Effects of Zerit

If you are using Zerit, then discuss the side effects of Zerit with your doctor and if you feel any change in intensity, then tell your doctor immediately. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Zerit. Side effects of Zerit may include:

• Abdominal pain
• sleeplessness
• allergic reaction
• rash
• chills
• pancreatitis
• diarrhea
• pain or numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
• fever
• headache
• nervous system abnormalities
• liver damage
• loss of appetite
• nausea and vomiting
• muscle pain

Warnings and precautions before taking Zerit:

• One of the more common and dangerous side effects of Zerit is known as peripheral neuropathy, a serious condition in which certain nerves are damaged. If you notice numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet, tell your doctor immediately.
• You should tell your doctor your medical history, especially if you have kidney or liver diseases, pancreatitis, nerve disease, heart disease, major injury/surgery/infection, alcohol usage, any allergies.

Drug Interaction:- If you are taking certain drugs with Zerit, then it may be increased, decreased, or altered the effects of Zerit. So it is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Zerit with the following:

• Cisplatin (Platinol)
• Dapsone
• Ethambutol (Myambutol)
• Hydralazine (Apresoline)
• Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• Metronidazole (Flagyl)
• Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin)
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Vincristine (Oncovin)
• Zalcitabine (Hivid)

Overdose

After taking Zerit, If you feel that overdose is suspected, then contact with your doctor immediately. Symptoms of Zerit overdose may includes:

• liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue)
• numbness
• tingling
• pain in a part of the body