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| Pronunciation |
|
 (zal
SITE a
been) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Hivid® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antiretroviral Agent, Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor
(Nucleoside) |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- This medication may cause pain or a change in feeling in the hands
or feet, caused by injury to the nerves. If you have a disorder which causes a
loss of feeling or painful sensation in your hands or feet talk with healthcare
provider before starting this medication. This medicine may cause severe
irritation of the pancreas, damage to the liver, or changes in acid levels in
the blood. Closely review the section in this leaflet which lists when to
immediately call your healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to zalcitabine or any other part of the
medicine.
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|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to treat HIV infection. It is usually taken with
2 other medicines.
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| How does it work? |
|
|
- Zalcitabine stops the HIV virus from increasing. It blocks
reproduction of the virus.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
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- The medicine must be taken exactly as directed.
- Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
- Do not take antacids within 1 hour of this
medicine.
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- Do not run out of this medication. Get it refilled today!
- Limit alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). May increase side
effects.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Protect against sexual spread of disease. Use an effective method of
birth control. Talk with healthcare provider if you have questions.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Breast-feeding is not recommended in HIV
disease.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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|
- Fever.
- Feeling tired or worn out.
- Numbness, tingling, or pain in feet or
hands.
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| What should I monitor? |
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|
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Numbness, tingling, or pain in feet or hands.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, belly pain, and/or diarrhea.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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|
- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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