Stavudine. In: Ciccone CD. Ciccone C.D. Ed. Charles D. Ciccone.eds. Davis's Drug Guide for Rehabilitation Professionals New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; . http://fadavispt.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=1873&sectionid=139026407. Accessed April 22, 2019.
. "Stavudine." Davis's Drug Guide for Rehabilitation Professionals Ciccone CD. Ciccone C.D. Ed. Charles D. Ciccone. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, , http://fadavispt.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=1873&sectionid=139026407.
HIV infection unresponsive or intolerant to conventional therapy.
Converted intracellularly to stavudine triphosphate, which inhibits viral DNA synthesis and replication. Therapeutic Effects: Virustatic action against HIV. Decreased viral load and increased cell count. Not curative, but may slow progression of HIV infection and decrease the incidence and severity of its sequelae.
CNS: headache, insomnia, weakness. GI: HEPATIC TOXICITY, PANCREATITIS, anorexia, diarrhea. F and E: LACTIC ACIDOSIS. Hemat: anemia. MS: arthralgia, myalgia. Neuro: peripheral neuropathy.
Be alert for signs of liver toxicity, including anorexia, abdominal pain, abdominal swelling (ascites), severe nausea and vomiting, yellow skin or eyes, fever, sore throat, malaise, weakness, facial edema, lethargy, and unusual bleeding or bruising. Notify physician of these signs immediately.
Monitor signs of pancreatitis, including upper abdominal pain (especially after eating), indigestion, weight loss, and oily stools. Report these signs to the physician immediately.
Assess any weakness, muscle pain, or joint pain to rule out musculoskeletal pathology; that is, try to determine if pain is drug induced rather than caused by anatomic or biomechanical problems.
Be alert for signs of peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling, decreased muscle strength). Establish baseline electroneuromyographic values using EMG and nerve conduction at the beginning of drug treatment whenever possible, and reexamine these values periodically to document drug-induced changes in peripheral nerve function.
Monitor any unusual weakness, fatigue, or pallor that might be due to anemia and other blood dyscrasias. Report these signs to the physician.
Implement resistive exercises and other therapeutic exercises as tolerated to maintain muscle strength and function, and prevent muscle wasting associated with HIV infection and AIDS.
Emphasize the importance of taking stavudine as directed even if the patient is asymptomatic, and that this drug must always be used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs. Do not take more than prescribed amount, and do not stop taking without consulting health care professional.