Zerit

Generic name:stavudine [ STA-vue-deen ]
Drug class:Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Jan 24, 2022.

What is Zerit?

Zerit is an antiviral medicine that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body.

Zerit is used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Zerit is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Warnings

Do not take Zerit with didanosine or zidovudine, or with any other medicine that contains stavudine.

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Call your doctor or get emergency medical help if you have unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

Zerit can also cause serious or life-threatening effects on your liver or pancreas. Call your doctor at once if you have: stomach pain or swelling, fever, nausea, vomiting, easy bruising or bleeding, loss of appetite, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Zerit if you are allergic to stavudine. Do not take this medicine with didanosine or zidovudine, or with any other medicine that contains stavudine.

Zerit can cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver or pancreas. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease or a history of pancreatitis.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

• liver disease, including hepatitis C;

• diabetes (Zerit liquid may contain sucrose);

• gallstones;

• numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet;

• problems with your pancreas; or

• if you drink large amounts of alcohol.

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, if you've taken HIV medication for a long time, or if you are a woman. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, and use your medications properly to control your infection. HIV can be passed to your baby if the virus is not controlled during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on a registry to track any effects of antiviral medicine on the baby.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

How should I take Zerit?

Take Zerit exactly as it was prescrib...