Zalcitabine medication belong to Antiretroviral/Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor class. Zalcitabine inhibits replication of DNA in HIV.



How to Take Zalcitabine

Take Zalcitabine exactly as prescribed by health care provider. Zalcitabine is generally available in market in the form Tablets for oral use 10 mg or 20 mg. May be used alone or in combination with bronchodilators and inhaled or systemic corticosteroids. Administer prescribed dose 1 hr before or 2 hr after meals.

Dosage Instructions for Zalcitabine Drug

Combination therapy: For the treatment of selected patients with advanced HIV infection.

Interactions of Zalcitabine with other drugs

Aminoglycosides, amphotericin, foscarnet: May increase risk of peripheral neuropathy and other zalcitabine toxicities caused by decreased clearance of zalcitabine.

Chloramphenicol, cisplatin, dapsone, disulfiram, ethionamide, glutethimide, gold, hydralazine, iodoquinol, isoniazid, metronidazole, nitrofurantoin, phenytoin, ribavirin, vincristine: May increase risk of peripheral neuropathy.

Drugs associated with pancreatitis (eg, pentamidine): Fatal pancreatitis has occurred, possibly related to zalcitabine and IV pentamidine given concurrently.

What are the Side Effects of Zalcitabine -

Like other medicines, Zalcitabine can cause side effects. Some of the more common side effects of Zalcitabine include

* Headache; dizziness; confusion; impaired concentration; peripheral neuropathy.

* Rash; pruritus; dermatitis.

* Pancreatitis; oral ulcers; nausea; dysphagia; anorexia; abdominal pain; vomiting; diarrhea; dry mouth; esophageal ulcers; dyspepsia; glossitis.

* Weight decrease; weight gain; increased amylase; hyperglycemia; hyponatremia; hypoglycemia; loss of appetite.

* Myalgia; arthralgia; foot pain; fatigue; anaphylactoid reaction; abnormal GGT.

Warnings and precautions before taking Zalcitabine :

* Special Warnings of Zalcitabine

* Hepatitis B: Hepatic failure and death, possibly related to underlying hepatitis B and zalcitabine, have been reported.

Lactic acidosis and hepatomegaly: Have been reported with steatosis (including fatal cases) reported with the use of nucleoside analogues alone or in combination with other antiretrovirals.

Neuropathy: Severe peripheral neuropathy, use with extreme caution in patients with preexisting neuropathy.

Pancreatitis: Rarely occurs; monitor.

* Obtain patient historybefore taking Zalcitabine, including drug history, and any known allergies. Note cardiac, hepatic and renal dysfunction; peripheral neuropathy; and pancreatitis.

* Perform clinical chemistry tests before and periodically during therapy. Monitor CBC, renal function studies (eg, BUN, serum uric acid, urine creatinine clearance), liver function tests (bilirubin, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase), and baseline serum amylase and triglyceride levels in patients with prior history of pancreatitis, increased amylase or ethanol abuse, and those on parenteral nutrition.

* Prior to therapy and throughout treatment, assess for signs of peripheral neuropathy: Tingling, burning, or pain in distal extremities. In patients with moderate symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, discontinue drug then reintroduce at 50% of initial dose only if neuropathy symptoms have improved to mild. Use of drug may be discontinued permanently if severe discomfort due to neuropathy or moderate discomfort progresses at least 1 wk.

* In patients developing hematologic toxicity, decreases in hemoglobin may occur as early as 2 to 4 wk after therapy begins and granulocytopenia may occur after 6 to 8 wk of therapy.

* Reduction of dose is not required for patients weighing at least 30 kg.

* Advise patient before taking Zalcitabine that follow-up visits will be required to monitor therapy and to keep appointments.

What if Overdose of Zalcitabine ?

If you think you or anyone else taken overdose of Zalcitabine , immediately telephone your doctor or contact your local or regional Poisons Information Centre Seek medical attention immediately. You may need urgent medical attention. Rash, fever, peripheral neuropathy are may be the overdose symptoms of Zalcitabine .

What if Missed Dose of Zalcitabine ?

If you miss a dose of Zalcitabine medicine and you remember within an hour or so, take the dose immediately. If you do not remember until later, skip the dose you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage Conditions for Zalcitabine :

Zalcitabine Store Zalcitabine tablets at controlled room temperature (68? to 77'F). Protect from light and moisture. Zalcitabine may be taken without regard to meals.