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Brand Names: Hivid

Generic Name: zalcitabine (Pronunciation: zal SITE ta been)

• What is zalcitabine (Hivid)?
• What are the possible side effects of zalcitabine (Hivid)?
• What is the most important information I should know about zalcitabine (Hivid)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking zalcitabine (Hivid)?
• How should I take zalcitabine (Hivid)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Hivid)?
• What happens if I overdose (Hivid)?
• What should I avoid while taking zalcitabine (Hivid)?
• What other drugs will affect zalcitabine (Hivid)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is zalcitabine (Hivid)?

Zalcitabine is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

Zalcitabine is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Zalcitabine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Zalcitabine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of zalcitabine (Hivid)?

Stop using zalcitabine and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:

• liver damage - nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• lactic acidosis - muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, nausea with vomiting, and fast or uneven heart rate;
• pancreatitis - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
• peripheral neuropathy - numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, pale skin;
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
• seizure (convulsions);
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• any other signs of new infection.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation;
• headache, tired feeling;
• skin rash; or
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk).

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about zalcitabine (Hivid)?

Zalcitabine may cause lactic acidosis (the build up of lactic acid in the body). Lactic acidosis symptoms can start slowly and gradually get worse. Symptoms include unusual muscle pain and weakness, trouble breathing, fast or uneven heart rate, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and numbness or cold feeling in your arms or legs. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms, even if they are only mild. Early signs of lactic acidosis generally get worse over time and this condition can be fatal.

Zalcitabine can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver or pancreas. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms while taking zalcitabine: severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, fast heart rate, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, a history of pancreatitis, or if you have used a medicine similar to zalcitabine in the past, such as abacavir (Ziagen), didanosine (Videx), lamivudine (Epivir), stavudine (Zerit), tenofovir (Viread), or zidovudine (Retrovir).

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Taking zalcitabine will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people through unprotected sex or sharing of needles. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.