ZERIT
General description

Zerit is the name brand for the drug stavudine produced by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. It is a synthetis thymidine nucleoside analogue active against HIV. Zerit is available in capsules and oral solution.

Mechanism

Stavudine is phosphorylated in the body and inhibits HIC replication by competing with a reverse transcriptase substrate and by casuing DNA chain termination. Stavudine can also inhibit DNA polymerase beta and gamma, reduing mitochondrial DNA sythesis.

Indications

Zerit is indicated for HIV infected patients who have received long prior treatment with zidovudine.

Usage/Dosage

Interval between doses should be 12 hours. For adults, it should be administered as follows: 40 mg twice daily for patients at least 60 kg and 30 mg twice daily for patients less than 60 kg. For pediatric patients weighing less than 30 kg, dosages should be scaled to 1 mg/kg/dose. Pediatric patients weighing more than 30 kg should follow adult recommendations for dosage.

Precautions

Patients should be warned that they may continue to develop complications associated with HIV infection. Zerit is not a cure for HIV. Patients with more advanced HIV infection and who have had histories of lactic acidosis, severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, or peripheral neuropathy are at higher risk of developing complications.

Contraindications

Zerit is contraindicated for any patients with a known hypersensitivity to components of the drug.

Potential Adverse Effects

The most common toxic side effect is peripheral neuropathy.