Stavudine Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Do not run out of this medicine.

• If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider. This medicine can increase blood sugar.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor).

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• To protect against sexually-transmitted diseases, use a latex condom.

• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy in HIV disease.

• Breast-feeding is not recommended in HIV disease in the U.S.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Anemia and low white blood cell count.

• Headache.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Diarrhea.

• Change in body fat distribution.

• Nerve damage may occur.

• Pancreatitis can rarely occur.

• Liver damage can rarely occur.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Numbness or tingling of hands or feet.

• Severe belly pain.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe diarrhea.

• Significant weight loss.

• Yellow skin or eyes.

• Not able to eat.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.