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Introduction of Zalcitabine
Zalcitabine is an antiviral drug called a nucleoside reverse
transcriptase inhibitor or NRTI. Zalcitabine is used to treat
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Zalcitabine may
reduce the amount of HIV in the blood and increase the number
of CD4 cells (T-cells) in the blood. Zalcitabine is used in
combination with other drugs to treat the HIV virus.
Zalcitabine will not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS.
You may still develop other infections or conditions
associated with HIV.
Side effects
of Zalcitabine
Side effects
that you should report to your prescriber or health care
professional as soon as possible:
•back pain
•changes in body appearance (such as weight gain or loss
around the waist and/or face)
•fever or chills, sore throat
•nausea, vomiting
•stomach pain
•tingling, pain or numbness in the hands or feet
•unusual bleeding or bruising
•unusual tiredness or weakness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention
(report to your prescriber or health care professional if they
continue or are bothersome):
•muscle and joint pain
•skin rash, itching
•sore or ulcerated mouth
Additional information of Zalcitabine
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular
checks on your progress. Discuss any new symptoms with your
prescriber or health care professional.
Alcohol can increase the risk of developing severe side
effects when taken with zalcitabine. Avoid alcoholic drinks
while you are taking zalcitabine. Do not treat yourself for
nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain. Call your prescriber or
health care professional for advice.
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if you get
tingling, pain or numbness in your hands or feet.
Zalcitabine will not cure HIV and you can still get other
illnesses or complications associated with your disease.
Taking zalcitabine does not reduce the risk of passing HIV
infection to others through sexual or blood contact. It is
best to avoid sexual contact so that you do not spread the
disease to others. For any sexual contact, use a condom. Be
careful about cuts, abrasions and other possible sources of
blood contact. Never share a needle or syringe with anyone.
Disclaimer:
Information on this page is provided for general
information purposes. You should not make a clinical treatment
decision based on information contained in this page without
consulting other references including the package insert of
the drug, textbooks and where relevant, expert opinion. We
cannot be held responsible for any errors you make in
administering drugs mentioned on this page, nor for use of any
erroneous information contained on this page.
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