Medications and Drugs
GENERIC NAME: ZALCITABINE (DDC) - ORAL (zal-SITE-uh-bean)
BRAND NAME(S): HIVID
Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert
WARNING: This drug may infrequently cause severe side effects which sometimes could be fatal. Zalcitabine can cause severe nerve problems (peripheral neuropathy), and should be used with extreme caution in those who already suffer from this disorder. It may rarely cause swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Tell your doctor immediately if vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, or persistent nausea occur, as this drug may be stopped until you can be checked. A metabolic disorder (lactic acidosis) as well as severe liver disease may also occur. Rarely, fatal liver failure has occurred in those with hepatitis B infection while using zalcitabine. It should be used with caution if you have a hepatitis B infection. Tell your doctor immediately if tingling/numbness of the hands and feet, dark urine, yellowing of eyes/skin, rapid breathing, muscle aches, or unusual drowsiness occur.
USES: This medication inhibits the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) that have advanced HIV infection. This medication is not a cure and has not been shown to reduce the frequency of HIV related illness. One group of HIV medications (the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors-NRTIs such as zidovudine and lamivudine) are very useful. However, NRTIs are recommended to be used in combination with other groups of HIV medications in order to be effective. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
HOW TO USE: Take this medicine exactly as your doctor prescribed along with zidovudine.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Drug Interactions - Learn about potential drug interactions you may be exposed to. Drug interactions can occur with prescription drugs, OTC medication, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus - Read about HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) causes, symptoms, signs, treatment, prevention, transmission, facts, testing, research (vaccine), statistics and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
- Drugs: What You Should Know About Your Drugs - Find out what you should know about your drugs such as side effects, warnings and precautions, storage information, and if a generic version is as good as the brand name.
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