Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: STAVUDINE (STAV-ue-deen)
This medicine is a nucleoside analogue antiviral used in combination with other medicines to manage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
WARNING: Severe, even fatal, liver and metabolic problems, such as lactic acidosis, have occurred in patients using this medicine. Fatal lactic acidosis has also occurred when this medicine was used in combination with didanosine and other medicines used to treat HIV during pregnancy. Rare cases of muscle weakness or paralysis have occurred, especially in patients with lactic acidosis. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal or stomach pain, rapid or difficult breathing, drowsiness, muscle aches, or weakness. When used in combination with certain medicines, pancreatitis (sometimes fatal) has occurred on rare occasions. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop severe stomach or abdominal pain. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are taking zidovudine, didanosine, or hydroxyurea. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking interferon, ribavirin, or methadone. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including if you have kidney or liver problems, abnormal liver function tests, diabetes, inflammation of the pancreas, gallstones, problems with tingling or numbness in your hands or feet, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have an enlarged liver or lactic acidosis. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. An extra patient leaflet is available with this medicine. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information. TAKE THIS MEDICINE with or without food. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Continue to take this medicine even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine. LAB TESTS, including liver and kidney function tests, may be performed while you use this medicine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. THIS MEDICINE DOES NOT STOP THE SPREAD OF HIV TO OTHERS through blood or sexual contact. Use barrier methods of birth control (eg, condoms) if you have HIV infection. Do not share needles, injection supplies, or items like toothbrushes or razors. THIS MEDICINE IS NOT A CURE FOR HIV INFECTION. Patients may still get illnesses and infections associated with HIV. Remain under the care of your doctor. WHEN YOUR MEDICINE SUPPLY IS LOW, get more from your doctor or pharmacist as soon as you can. DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE, even for a short period of time. If you do, the virus may grow resistant to the medicine and become harder to treat. CHANGES IN BODY FAT (eg, an increased amount of fat in the upper back, neck, breast, and trunk, and loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face) may occur in some patients taking this medicine. The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown. Discuss any concerns with your doctor. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE CAN CAUSE HARM to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS FOUND in breast milk. MOTHERS INFECTED WITH HIV SHOULD NOT BREAST-FEED. There is a risk of passing the HIV infection or this medicine to the baby. DIABETES PATIENTS: This medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include changes in body fat; constipation; diarrhea; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience chills; dark urine; fever; lactic acid imbalance (general body discomfort, cold feeling, dizziness, lightheadedness, slow or irregular heartbeat); muscle aches or weakness; numbness, tingling, or pain in hands or feet; rapid breathing; severe or persistent nausea and vomiting; shortness of breath; sore throat; stomach pain; sudden weight loss; symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, increased thirst or urination, confusion, unusual drowsiness); unusual tiredness or weakness; weakness in the arms or legs; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include numbness or tingling in the hands or feet; or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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