Stavudine : Before Using

Stavudine - Systemic

Brand Names

Zerit, d4T Stavudine *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For stavudine, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reaction to stavudine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Note:

The combination of stavudine and didanosine must be using with caution during pregnancy.

Stavudine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in pets have shown that stavudine causes birth defects when given in very high doses. Before taking this drug, make sure your family doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding problem

It is not known whether stavudine passes into the breast milk. However, if your baby does not already have the AIDS virus, there is a risk that you could pass it to your baby by breast-feeding. Talk to your family doctor first if you are thinking about breast-feeding your baby.

Use for Children

This drug has been tested in child from birth through adolescence and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause various side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Elderly care

Stavudine has not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it is not known whether it causes various side effects or problems in the elderly than it does in adults people. Elderly diseaseds must be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking stavudine, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Chloramphenicol - Chloromycetin
Cisplatin - Platinol
Dapsone
Didanosine - ddI, Videx
Ethambutol - Myambutol
Ethionamide - Trecator-SC
Hydralazine - Apresoline
Isoniazid
Lithium - Eskalith, Lithobid
Metronidazole - Flagyl
Nitrofurantoin - Macrodantin
Phenytoin - Dilantin
Vincristine - Oncovin
Zalcitabine - ddC, HIVID Use of these medication with stavudine may increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy - tingling, burning, numbness, or pain in your hands or feet

Didanosine - ddI, Videx
Hydroxyurea - Hydrea Use of these medication with stavudine may increase the risk of liver toxicity or pancreatitis

Zidovudine - Retrovir May prevent stavudine from working effectively; using stavudine and zidovudine at the same time is not recommended

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of stavudine. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Alcohol abuse, active or a history of,
Liver disease Stavudine may make liver disease worse in diseaseds with liver disease, active alcohol abuse, or a history of alcohol abuse

Kidney disease Patients with kidney disease may have an increased risk of side effects

Peripheral neuropathy Stavudine may make this condition worse