Stavudine
Description
Stavudine is an antiviral medicine which is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. It only prevents the virus from multiplying in your body. Monitoring of kidney function may be necessary while receiving this medicine based on the clinical condition.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Stavudine
- Burning sensation
- Unsteadiness
- Weakness in arms, hands, legs or feet
- Anemia
- Decrease in blood cell count
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty in falling or staying asleep
- Depression
Uses of Stavudine
What is it prescribed for?
- HIV infection
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe time until which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to stavudine or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Lactic acidosis
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of Lactic acidosis. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Pancreatitis
This medicine may rarely cause pancreatitis in some patients. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Therapy may need to be discontinued if the patient develops any signs or symptoms of pancreatitis.
Kidney Diseases
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Regular monitoring of kidney function tests, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Liver diseases
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of liver diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Regular monitoring of liver function tests, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Fat Redistribution
This medicine may cause fat gain or fat loss from the body. This may result in peripheral wasting, facial wasting, breast enlargement, Cushingoid appearance, etc. Close monitoring of body weight and body fat distribution is necessary while receiving this medicine. Any changes in the body should be informed to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Immune reconstitution syndrome
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of Immune reconstitution syndrome. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Leflunomide
Didanosine
Lomitapide
Teriflunomide
Bexarotene
Efavirenz
Mipomersen
Disease interactions
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of liver diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Liver function should be assessed before initiating the treatment. Close monitoring of liver function is recommended during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Renal Dysfunction
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with renal diseases due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine with or without food, exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller quantities than advised/prescribed. Ensure that proper hygiene measures are adopted. Complete the course of treatment to prevent the spread of the infection. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Close monitoring of liver and kidney function may be necessary during treatment with this medicine. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by stopping the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying. This helps in reducing the chances of development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other HIV-related illnesses.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 23 March 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 23 March 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 23 March 2018]. Available from:
Stavudine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 23 March 2018]. Available from:
Stavudine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 23 March 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 5 Jun 2018
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.