Zalcitabine : Before Using

Zalcitabine - Systemic

Brand Names

HIVID, ddC Zalcitabine *** 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 zalcitabine, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

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

Pregnancy care

Zalcitabine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in pets have shown that zalcitabine 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 zalcitabine 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

Zalcitabine can cause serious side effects in any patient. Therefore, it is especially important that you discuss with your child's family doctor the good that this drug may do as well as the chance of using it. Your child must be seen frequently and your child's progress carefully followed by the family doctor while the child is taking zalcitabine.

Elderly care

Zalcitabine has not been studied specifically in elderly people. Therefore, it is not known whether it causes various side effects or problems in the elderly than it does in adults people.

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 zalcitabine, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Alcohol
Asparaginase - Elspar
Azathioprine - Imuran
Estrogens - female hormones
Furosemide - Lasix
Methyldopa - Aldomet
Pentamidine by injection - Pentam, Pentacarinat
Sulfonamides - Bactrim, Septra
Sulindac - Clinoril
Tetracyclines
Thiazide diuretics - water pills - Diuril, Hydrodiuril
Valproic acid - Depakote Use of these medication with zalcitabine may increase the risk of pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas

Aminoglycosides by injection - amikacin " Amikin ", gentamicin " Garamycin ", kanamycin " Kantrex ", neomycin " Mycifradin ", netilmicin " Netromycin ", streptomycin, tobramycin " Nebcin "
Amphotericin B - Fungizone
Foscarnet - Foscavir Use of these medication with zalcitabine may increase the risk of side effects

Antacids, aluminum- andmagnesium-containing - Maalox, Mylanta Use of antacids with zalcitabine may decrease the absorption of zalcitabine; antacids and zalcitabine must not be taken at the same time

Chloramphenicol - Chloromycetin
Cisplatin - Platinol
Dapsone - Avlosulfon
Didanosine - Videx, ddI
Disulfiram - Antabuse
Ethionamide - Trecator-SC
Glutethimide
Gold - arthritis drug
Hydralazine - Apresoline
Iodoquinol - Dinquinol, Yodoxin
Isoniazid - Nydrazid
Metronidazole - Flagyl
Phenytoin - Dilantin
Ribavirin - Virazole
Stavudine - Zerit, d4T
Vincristine - Oncovin Use of these medication with zalcitabine may increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy - tingling, burning, numbness, or pain in your hands or feet

Cimetidine - Tagamet
Probenecid - Benemid Use of these medication with zalcitabine may increase the risk of side effects of zalcitabine

Doxorubicin - Adriamycin or Rubex
Lamivudine - 3TC, Epivir, Heptovir Use of these medication with zalcitabine may make zalcitabine not work well

Nitrofurantoin - Furadantin, Macrodantin Use of nitrofurantoin with zalcitabine may increase the risk of side effects, including peripheral neuropathy - tingling, burning, numbness, or pain in your hands or feet and pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas

Other Information for using

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

Alcohol abuse
Increased amylase - or a history of
Increased blood triglycerides - or a history of
Pancreatitis - or a history of, or at risk for
Receiving nutrition in your veins Patients with these medical problems may be at increased risk of pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas

Abnormal liver function,
Alcohol abuse, history of,
At risk for liver disease,
Hepatitis,
Liver disease,
Obesity,
Taking medication called nucleosides for a long time Zalcitabine may make liver disease worse in diseaseds with liver disease or a history of alcohol abuse

Allergy to zalcitabine,
Allergy to any part of the drug Serious allergys can occur

Bone marrow disease Patients with this condition may develop severe blood problems when taking zalcitabine

Heart problems,
Congestive heart failure Zalcitabine may make these conditions worse.

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

Low CD4 cell count Zalcitabine may cause serious side effects in diseaseds with very low CD4 cell counts.

Peripheral neuropathy or at risk of developing peripheral neuropathy,
Diabetes,
Low CD4 cell count,
Weight loss Zalcitabine may increase your risk of developing neuropathy or worsening neuropathy.