Stavudine for HIV

About stavudine

Stavudine is an antiretroviral medicine. It is prescribed for infezione da virus dell'immunodeficienza umana (HIV). It slows the progress of HIV infection, but it is not a cure. HIV destroys cells in the body, called CD4 T cells. These cells are a type of white blood cell and are important because they are involved in protecting your body from infection. If left untreated, the HIV infection weakens your immune system so that your body cannot defend itself against bacteria, viruses and other germs. Stavudine slows down the progress of HIV infection by reducing the amount of virus in your body. It does this by stopping the virus from copying (replicating) itself.

Stavudine will be prescribed for you by a doctor who is a specialist. It belongs to a group of antiretroviral medicines known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Stavudine will be prescribed for you if other, more usually prescribed NRTIs are not suitable for you. It is usually prescribed for a short time, after which your treatment will most likely be switched to an alternative antiretroviral. It is given alongside a number of other antiretroviral medicines as part of a combination therapy. Taking three or more antiretroviral medicines at the same time is more effective than taking one alone. Taking a combination of different medicines also reduces the risk that the virus will become resistant to any individual medicine. It is vital to take your antiretroviral medicines exactly as prescribed to maintain success and to help to prevent the virus from becoming resistant to the medicines.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking stavudine it is important that your doctor knows:

• Se sei incinta, stai cercando di avere un bambino o stai allattando.

• If you have any problems with the way your liver works, or if you have problems with the way your kidneys work.

• Se bevi molto alcol.

• If you have ever had inflammation of your pancreas, called pancreatitis.

• If you have ever had peripheral neuropathy. This condition causes tingling or numbness, particularly in your hands or feet.

• Se stai assumendo altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. It will give you more information about stavudine, and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Take stavudine exactly as your doctor tells you to. You will be asked to take two doses each day, 12 hours apart. Your doctor will tell you how much you should take for each dose. Your dose will also be printed on the label of the pack to remind you about what the doctor said to you.

• Swallow the capsule with a drink of water. If you (or your child) have difficulties swallowing capsules, you can open the capsule and mix the contents with a little soft food.

• Try to take stavudine at the same times each day, as this will help you to remember to take it regularly. Stavudine should preferably be taken while your stomach is empty, so about an hour before you eat a meal. If this is not possible, it can be taken after a light meal.

• If you forget to take a dose at your usual time, take it as soon as you remember (unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose and take the next dose as normal). Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

• Mantieni i tuoi appuntamenti regolari con il tuo medico in modo che i tuoi progressi possano essere monitorati. Avrai bisogno di fare regolarmente esami del sangue per verificare quanto bene stanno funzionando i tuoi farmaci.

• It is important that you continue to take stavudine and your other antiretroviral treatment regularly. This will help to prevent the HIV from becoming resistant to the medicines you are taking. Even if you miss only a small number of doses, the virus can become resistant to treatment.

• If you develop an infection soon after you start the treatment, let your doctor know. As a result of taking stavudine, your immune system may start fighting an infection which was present before you started the treatment, but which you may not have been aware of.

• Segui attentamente qualsiasi consiglio che il tuo medico ti dà riguardo ai cambiamenti dello stile di vita per ridurre il rischio di danni al cuore e ai vasi sanguigni. Questi possono includere smettere di fumare, mangiare in modo sano e fare esercizio fisico regolarmente.

• Alcune persone che assumono farmaci antiretrovirali sviluppano cambiamenti nel modo in cui il grasso corporeo è distribuito nel corpo. Questo può comportare cambiamenti nell'immagine corporea. Il tuo medico discuterà con te la possibilità di questo.

• Anche se il trattamento con farmaci antiretrovirali può ridurre il rischio di trasmettere l'HIV ad altri attraverso il contatto sessuale, non lo elimina completamente. È importante che usi i preservativi.

• Non è raro che le persone con HIV si sentano giù o addirittura depresse, soprattutto subito dopo che è stata fatta la diagnosi e iniziato il trattamento. Se hai sentimenti di depressione o pensieri angoscianti riguardo al farti del male, dovresti parlarne con il tuo medico immediatamente.

• Stavudine has been associated with a serious side-effect in some people who have taken it. This is known as lactic acidosis. It is a problem where there is too much lactic acid in the blood. The symptoms associated with it are listed in the next section 'Can stavudine cause problems?'. If you develop any of the symptoms listed below, you must let your doctor know immediatamente, as they can worsen, and may even become life-threatening.

• Alcune persone che hanno assunto farmaci antiretrovirali (soprattutto per un lungo periodo) hanno sviluppato una condizione chiamata osteonecrosi. Questa è una malattia ossea in cui il tessuto osseo muore a causa di una ridotta fornitura di sangue. Porta a dolori articolari e rigidità, e può causare difficoltà nei movimenti. Se noti uno di questi sintomi, parla con il tuo medico.

• If you buy any medicines, supplements or herbal remedies 'over the counter', check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with stavudine and your other medicines. This is because some medicines interfere with antiretrovirals and can stop them from working properly.

• Se devi sottoporti a un'operazione o a un trattamento dentistico, informa la persona che esegue il trattamento sui medicinali che stai assumendo.

• Treatment for HIV is usually lifelong. Continue to take stavudine regularly for as long as your doctor tells you to, even if you feel well. This is to keep your immune system healthy.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with stavudine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. You should, however, speak with your doctor if you develop any of the following side-effects. This is because some of the common side-effects of stavudine are similar to the symptoms of lactic acidosis - a less common but more serious problem.

Your doctor will discuss with you the possibility of lactic acidosis occurring. Let your doctor know straightaway if you develop any of the following symptoms:

• Feeling sick or being sick (vomiting), tummy pain, loss of appetite, loss of weight, feeling weak or dizzy, and fast or gasping breathing.

Se si verificano altri sintomi che ritieni possano essere dovuti al medicinale, parla con il tuo medico o farmacista per ulteriori consigli.

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.