User:Mr. Ibrahem/Stavudine

Stavudine (d4T), sold under the brand name Zerit among others, is an antiretroviral medication used to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. It is generally recommended for use with other antiretrovirals. It may be used for prevention after a needlestick injury or other potential exposure. However, it is not a first-line treatment. It is given by mouth.

Common side effects include headache, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, and peripheral nerve problems. Severe side effects include high blood lactate, pancreatitis, and an enlarged liver. It is not generally recommended in pregnancy. Stavudine is in the nucleoside analog reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) class of medication.

Stavudine was first described in 1966 and approved for use in the United States in 1994. It is available as a generic medication. The wholesale cost in the developing world is US$1.86–5.40 per month. The World Health Organization recommends that its use be decreased due to side effects.