Zerit

Drug Description

What is Zerit and how is it used?

Zerit is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of HIV Infection. Zerit may be used alone or with other medications.

Zerit belongs to a class of drugs called HIV, NRTIs.

What are the possible side effects of Zerit?

Zerit may cause serious side effects including:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• unusual muscle pain,
• stomach pain,
• vomiting,
• irregular hear rate,
• dizziness,
• feeling cold,
• weakness,
• tiredness,
• numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet,
• weakness in your legs, feet, arms, or hands,
• swelling around your midsection,
• right-sided upper stomach pain,
• loss of appetite,
• dark urine,
• clay-colored stools,
• yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice),
• fever,
• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back,
• nausea,
• night sweats,
• swollen glands,
• cold sores,
• cough,
• wheezing,
• diarrhea,
• weight loss,
• trouble speaking or swallowing,
• problems with balance or eye movement,
• weakness or prickly feeling,
• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid),
• menstrual changes, and
• impotence

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

The most common side effects of Zerit include:

• weakness, numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• rash, and
• headache

Tell the doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of Zerit. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

WARNING

LACTIC ACIDOSIS and HEPATOMEGALY with STEATOSIS; PANCREATITIS

Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogues alone or in combination, including stavudine and other antiretrovirals. Fatal lactic acidosis has been reported in pregnant women who received the combination of stavudine and didanosine with other antiretroviral agents. The combination of stavudine and didanosine should be used with caution during pregnancy and is recommended only if the potential benefit clearly outweighs the potential risk [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Fatal and nonfatal pancreatitis have occurred during therapy when ZERIT was part of a combination regimen that included didanosine in both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients, regardless of degree of immunosuppression [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

 

DESCRIPTION

ZERIT is the brand name for stavudine (d4T), a synthetic thymidine nucleoside analogue, active against the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The chemical name for stavudine is 2',3'-didehydro-3'-deoxythymidine. Stavudine has the following structural formula:

Stavudine is a white to off-white crystalline solid with the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₂N₂O₄ and a molecular weight of 224.2. The solubility of stavudine at 23°C is approximately 83 mg/mL in water and 30 mg/mL in propylene glycol. The n-octanol/ water partition coefficient of stavudine at 23°C is 0.144.

Capsules: ZERIT is available as capsules for oral administration containing either 15, 20, 30, or 40 mg of stavudine. Each capsule also contains inactive ingredients microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, lactose, and magnesium stearate. The hard gelatin shell consists of gelatin, titanium dioxide, and iron oxides. The capsules are printed with edible inks.

Powder for Oral Solution: ZERIT is available as a dye-free, fruit-flavored powder in bottles with child-resistant closures providing 200 mL of a 1 mg/mL stavudine oral solution upon constitution with water per label instructions. The powder for oral solution contains the following inactive ingredients: methylparaben, propylparaben, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sucrose, and antifoaming and flavoring agents.

 

Indications & Dosage

INDICATIONS

ZERIT®, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, is indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection [see Clinical Studies].

 

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

The interval between doses of ZERIT (stavudine) should be 12 hours. ZERIT may be taken with or without food.

Recommended Adult Dosage

The recommended adult dosage is based on body weight as follows:

• For patients weighing less than 60 kg: 30 mg every 12 hours.
• For patients weighing at least 60 kg: 40 mg every 12 hours.

Recommended Pediatric Dosage

• For newborns from birth to 13 days old: 0.5 mg/kg given every 12 hours.
• For pediatric patients at least 14 days old and weighing less than 30 kg: 1 mg/kg given every 12 hours.
• For pediatric patients weighing at least 30 kg: use the recommended adult dosage.

Dosage Adjustment

Renal Impairment

Adult Patients

ZERIT may be administered to adult patients with impaired renal function with an adjustment in dosage as shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Recommended Dosage Adjustment for Adult Patients with Renal Impairment

Creatinine Clearance (mL/min)	Recommended ZERIT Dose by Patient Weight
	at least 60 kg	less than 60 kg
greater than 50	40 mg every 12 hours	30 mg every 12 hours
26-50	20 mg every 12 hours	15 mg every 12 hours
10-25	20 mg every 24 hours	15 mg every 24 hours
Hemodialysis	* 20 mg every 24 hours	* 15 mg every 24 hours
*Administered after the completion of hemodialysis on dialysis days and at the same time of day on non-dialysis days.

Pediatric Patients

Since urinary excretion is also a major route of elimination of stavudine in pediatric patients, the clearance of stavudine may be altered in children with renal impairment. There are insufficient data to recommend a specific dose adjustment of ZERIT in this patient population.

Method Of Preparation For Oral Solution

Prior to dispensing, the pharmacist must constitute the dry powder with purified water to a concentration of 1 mg stavudine per mL of solution, as follows:

1. Add 202 mL of purified water to the container.
2. Shake container vigorously until the powder dissolves completely. Constitution in this way produces 200 mL (deliverable volume) of 1 mg/mL stavudine solution. The solution may appear slightly hazy.
3. Dispense solution in original container with measuring cup provided. Instruct patient to shake the container vigorously prior to measuring each dose and to store the tightly closed container in a refrigerator, 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Discard any unused portion after 30 days.

 

HOW SUPPLIED

Dosage Forms And Strengths

• ZERIT 15 mg capsules with dark red cap and light yellow body, printed with black ink “BMS 1964” on the cap and with black ink “15” on the body.
• ZERIT 20 mg capsules with light brown cap and light brown body, printed with black ink “BMS 1965” on the cap and with black ink “20” on the body.
• ZERIT 30 mg capsules with dark orange cap and light orange body, printed with black ink “BMS 1966” on the cap and with black ink “30” on the body.
• ZERIT 40 mg capsules with dark orange cap and dark orange body, printed with black ink “BMS 1967” on the cap and with black ink “40” on the body.
• ZERIT for oral solution is a dye-free, fruit-flavored powder that provides 1 mg of stavudine per milliliter solution after constitution.

Storage And Handling

Capsules

ZERIT® (stavudine) Capsules are available in the following strengths and configurations of plastic bottles with child-resistant closures:

Table 13: Capsule Strength/Configuration

Product Strength	Capsule Shell Color	Markings on Capsule (in Black Ink)		Capsules per Bottle	NDC No.
15 mg	Light yellow & dark red	BMS1964	15	60	0003-1964-01
20 mg	Light brown	BMS1965	20	60	0003-1965-01
30 mg	Light orange & dark orange	BMS1966	30	60	0003-1966-01
40 mg	Dark orange	BMS1967	40	60	0003-1967-01

Oral Solution

ZERIT® (stavudine) for oral solution is a dye-free, fruit-flavored powder that provides 1 mg of stavudine per mL of solution upon constitution with water. Directions for solution preparation are included on the product label and in the Dosage and Administration (2) section of this insert. ZERIT for oral solution (NDC No. 0003-1968-01) is available in child-resistant containers that provide 200 mL of solution after constitution with water.

Storage

ZERIT Capsules should be stored in tightly closed containers at 25°C (77°F). Excursions between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F) are permitted (see USP Controlled Room Temperature).

ZERIT for oral solution should be protected from excessive moisture and stored in tightly closed containers at 25°C (77°F). Excursions between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F) are permitted (see USP Controlled Room Temperature). After constitution, store tightly closed containers of ZERIT for oral solution in a refrigerator, 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Discard any unused portion after 30 days.

Distributed by: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Princeton, NJ 08543 USA. Revised :Dec 2018

 

Side Effects

The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling:

• lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• hepatic toxicity [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• neurologic symptoms and motor weakness [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• pancreatitis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• lipoatrophy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]

When ZERIT is used in combination with other agents with similar toxicities, the incidence of adverse reactions may be higher than when stavudine is used alone.

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

Clinical Trials Experience In Adults

Selected adverse reactions that occurred in adult patients receiving ZERIT in a controlled monotherapy study (Study AI455-019) are provided in Table 2.

Table 2: Selected Adverse Reactions in Study AI455-019^a (Monotherapy)

Adverse Reaction	Percent (%)
	ZERITb (40 mg twice daily) (n=412)	zidovudine (200 mg 3 times daily) (n=402)
Headache	54	49
Diarrhea	50	44
Peripheral Neurologic Symptoms/ Neuropathy	52	39
Rash	40	35
Nausea and Vomiting	39	44
a The incidences reported included all severity grades and all reactions regardless of causality. b Median duration of stavudine therapy = 79 weeks; median duration of zidovudine therapy = 53 weeks.

Pancreatitis was observed in 3 of the 412 adult patients who received ZERIT in study AI455-019.

Selected adverse reactions that occurred in antiretroviral-naive adult patients receiving ZERIT from two controlled combination studies are provided in Table 3.

Table 3: Selected Adverse Reactions^a in START 1 and START 2^b Studies (Combination Therapy)

Adverse Reaction	Percent (%)
	START 1		START 2b
	ZERIT + lamivudine + indinavir (n=100c)	zidovudine + lamivudine + indinavir (n=102)	ZERIT + didanosine + indinavir (n=102c)	zidovudine + lamivudine + indinavir (n=103)
Nausea	43	63	53	67
Diarrhea	34	16	45	39
Headache	25	26	46	37
Rash	18	13	30	18
Vomiting	18	33	30	35
Peripheral Neurologic Symptoms/ Neuropathy	8	7	21	10
a The incidences reported included all severity grades and all reactions regardless of causality. b START 2 compared two triple-combination regimens in 205 treatment-naive patients. Patients received either ZERIT (40 mg twice daily) plus didanosine plus indinavir or zidovudine plus lamivudine plus indinavir. c Duration of stavudine therapy = 48 weeks.

Selected laboratory abnormalities reported in a controlled monotherapy study (Study AI455-019) are provided in Table 4.

Table 4: Selected Laboratory Abnormalities in Study AI455-019^a,b

Parameter	Percent (%)
	ZERIT (40 mg twice daily) (n=412)	zidovudine (200 mg 3 times daily) (n=402)
AST (SGOT) (>5.0 x ULN)	11	10
ALT (SGPT) (>5.0 x ULN)	13	11
Amylase (≥1.4 x ULN)	14	13
a Data presented for patients for whom laboratory evaluations were performed. b Median duration of stavudine therapy = 79 weeks; median duration of zidovudine therapy = 53 weeks. ULN = upper limit of normal.

Selected laboratory abnormalities reported in two controlled combination studies are provided in Tables 5 and 6.

Table 5: Selected Laboratory Abnormalities in START 1 and START 2 Studies (Grades 3-4)

Parameter	Percent (%)
	START 1		START 2
	ZERIT + lamivudine + indinavir (n=100)	zidovudine + lamivudine + indinavir (n=102)	ZERIT + didanosine + indinavir (n=102)	zidovudine + lamivudine + indinavir (n=103)
Bilirubin (>2.6 x ULN)	7	6	16	8
AST (SGOT) (>5 x ULN)	5	2	7	7
ALT (SGPT) (>5 x ULN)	6	2	8	5
GGT (>5 x ULN)	2	2	5	2
Lipase (>2 x ULN)	6	3	5	5
Amylase (>2 x ULN)	4	<1	8	2
ULN = upper limit of normal.

Table 6: Selected Laboratory Abnormalities in START 1 and START 2 Studies (All Grades)

Parameter	Percent (%)
	START 1		START 2
	ZERIT + lamivudine + indinavir (n=100)	zidovudine + lamivudine + indinavir (n=102)	ZERIT + didanosine + indinavir (n=102)	zidovudine + lamivudine + indinavir (n=103)
Total Bilirubin	65	60	68	55
AST (SGOT)	42	20	53	20
ALT (SGPT)	40	20	50	18
GGT	15	8	28	12
Lipase	27	12	26	19
Amylase	21	19	31	17

Clinical Trials Experience In Pediatric Patients

Adverse reactions and serious laboratory abnormalities reported in pediatric patients from birth through adolescence during clinical trials were similar in type and frequency to those seen in adult patients [see Use In Specific Populations].

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of ZERIT. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. These reactions have been chosen for inclusion due to their seriousness, frequency of reporting, causal connection to ZERIT, or a combination of these factors.

Body as a Whole: abdominal pain, allergic reaction, chills/fever.

Digestive Disorders: anorexia.

Exocrine Gland Disorders: pancreatitis, including fatal cases [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Hematologic Disorders: anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and macrocytosis.

Liver: symptomatic hyperlactatemia/lactic acidosis and hepatic steatosis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS], hepatitis and liver failure.

Metabolic Disorders: lipoatrophy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS], diabetes mellitus and hyperglycemia.

Musculoskeletal: myalgia.

Nervous System: insomnia, severe motor weakness (most often reported in the setting of lactic acidosis) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

 

Drug Interactions

ZERIT is unlikely to interact with drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes.

Hydroxyurea

When stavudine is used in combination with other agents with similar toxicities, the incidence of these toxicities may be higher than when stavudine is used alone. Thus, patients treated with ZERIT in combination with hydroxyurea, may be at increased risk for pancreatitis and hepatotoxicity, which may be fatal, and severe peripheral neuropathy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. The combination of ZERIT and hydroxyurea should be avoided.

Zidovudine

Zidovudine competitively inhibits the intracellular phosphorylation of stavudine. Therefore, use of zidovudine in combination with ZERIT (stavudine) should be avoided.

Doxorubicin

In vitro data indicate that the phosphorylation of stavudine is inhibited at relevant concentrations by doxorubicin. The clinical significance of this interaction is unknown; therefore, concomitant use of stavudine with doxorubicin should be undertaken with caution.

Ribavirin

In vitro data indicate ribavirin reduces phosphorylation of lamivudine, stavudine, and zidovudine. The clinical significance of the interaction with stavudine is unknown; therefore, concomitant use of stavudine with ribavirin should be undertaken with caution. No pharmacokinetic (eg, plasma concentrations or intracellular triphosphorylated active metabolite concentrations) or pharmacodynamic (eg, loss of HIV-1/HCV virologic suppression) interaction was observed when ribavirin and lamivudine (n=18), stavudine (n=10), or zidovudine (n=6) were coadministered as part of a multi-drug regimen to HIV-1/HCV co-infected patients [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

 

Warnings & Precautions

WARNINGS

Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.

PRECAUTIONS

Lactic Acidosis/Severe Hepatomegaly With Steatosis

Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogues alone or in combination, including stavudine and other antiretrovirals. Although relative rates of lactic acidosis have not been assessed in prospective well-controlled trials, longitudinal cohort and retrospective studies suggest that this infrequent event may be more often associated with antiretroviral combinations containing stavudine. Female gender, obesity, and prolonged nucleoside exposure may be risk factors. Fatal lactic acidosis has been reported in pregnant individuals who received the combination of stavudine and didanosine with other antiretroviral agents. Coadministration of ZERIT and didanosine is contraindicated [see CONTRAINDICATIONS and Use In Specific Populations].

Particular caution should be exercised when administering ZERIT to any patient with known risk factors for liver disease; however, cases of lactic acidosis have also been reported in patients with no known risk factors. Generalized fatigue, digestive symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss); respiratory symptoms (tachypnea and dyspnea); or neurologic symptoms, including motor weakness [see Neurologic Symptoms] might be indicative of the development of symptomatic hyperlactatemia or lactic acidosis syndrome.

Treatment with ZERIT should be suspended in any patient who develops clinical or laboratory findings suggestive of symptomatic hyperlactatemia, lactic acidosis, or pronounced hepatotoxicity (which may include hepatomegaly and steatosis even in the absence of marked transaminase elevations). Permanent discontinuation of ZERIT should be considered for patients with confirmed lactic acidosis.

Hepatic Toxicity

The safety and efficacy of ZERIT have not been established in HIV-infected patients with significant underlying liver disease. During combination antiretroviral therapy, patients with preexisting liver dysfunction, including chronic active hepatitis, have an increased frequency of liver function abnormalities, including severe and potentially fatal hepatic adverse events, and should be monitored according to standard practice. If there is evidence of worsening liver disease in such patients, interruption or discontinuation of treatment must be considered.

Hepatotoxicity and hepatic failure resulting in death were reported during postmarketing surveillance in HIV-infected patients treated with hydroxyurea and other antiretroviral agents.

Fatal hepatic events were reported most often in patients treated with the combination of hydroxyurea, didanosine, and stavudine. Coadministration of ZERIT and didanosine is contraindicated; and the combination of ZERIT and hydroxyurea should be avoided [see CONTRAINDICATIONS and DRUG INTERACTIONS].

Use With Interferon And Ribavirin-Based Regimens

In vitro studies have shown ribavirin can reduce the phosphorylation of pyrimidine nucleoside analogues such as stavudine. Although no evidence of a pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic (eg, loss of HIV-1/HCV virologic suppression) interaction was seen when ribavirin was coadministered with stavudine in HIV-1/HCV co-infected patients [see DRUG INTERACTIONS], hepatic decompensation (some fatal) has occurred in HIV-1/HCV co-infected patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-1 and interferon and ribavirin. Patients receiving interferon with or without ribavirin and stavudine should be closely monitored for treatment-associated toxicities, especially hepatic decompensation. Discontinuation of stavudine should be considered as medically appropriate. Dose reduction or discontinuation of interferon, ribavirin, or both should also be considered if worsening clinical toxicities are observed, including hepatic decompensation (eg, Child-Pugh >6) (see the full prescribing information for interferon and ribavirin).

Neurologic Symptoms

Motor weakness has been reported rarely in patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy including ZERIT. Most of these cases occurred in the setting of lactic acidosis. The evolution of motor weakness may mimic the clinical presentation of Guillain-Barré syndrome (including respiratory failure). If motor weakness develops, ZERIT should be discontinued. Symptoms may continue or worsen following discontinuation of therapy.

Peripheral sensory neuropathy, manifested by numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands or feet, has been reported in patients receiving ZERIT therapy. Peripheral neuropathy, which can be severe, is dose-related and occurs more frequently in patients with advanced HIV-1 disease, a history of peripheral neuropathy, or in patients receiving other drugs that have been associated with neuropathy [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].

Patients should be monitored for the development of peripheral neuropathy. Stavudine-related peripheral neuropathy may resolve if therapy is withdrawn promptly. If peripheral neuropathy develops permanent discontinuation of ZERIT should be considered. In some cases, symptoms may worsen temporarily following discontinuation of therapy.

Pancreatitis

Fatal and nonfatal pancreatitis have occurred during therapy when ZERIT was part of a combination regimen that included didanosine in both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients, regardless of degree of immunosuppression. The combination of ZERIT and any other agents that are toxic to the pancreas should be suspended in patients with suspected pancreatitis. Coadministration of ZERIT and didanosine is contraindicated [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. Reinstitution of ZERIT after a confirmed diagnosis of pancreatitis should be undertaken with particular caution and close patient monitoring.

Lipoatrophy

In randomized controlled trials of treatment-naive patients, clinical lipoatrophy developed in a higher proportion of patients treated with stavudine compared to other nucleosides (tenofovir or abacavir). Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans demonstrated overall limb fat loss in stavudine-treated patients compared to limb fat gain or no gain in patients treated with other nucleosides (abacavir, tenofovir, or zidovudine). The incidence and severity of lipoatrophy are cumulative over time with stavudine-containing regimens. In clinical trials, switching from stavudine to other nucleosides (tenofovir or abacavir) resulted in increases in limb fat with modest to no improvements in clinical lipoatrophy.

Patients receiving ZERIT should be monitored for symptoms or signs of lipoatrophy and questioned about body changes related to lipoatrophy. Given the potential risks of using ZERIT including lipoatrophy, a benefit-risk assessment for each patient should be made and an alternative antiretroviral should be considered.

Immune Reconstitution Syndrome

Immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, including ZERIT. During the initial phase of combination antiretroviral treatment, patients whose immune system responds may develop an inflammatory response to indolent or residual opportunistic infections (such as Mycobacterium avium infection, cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP), or tuberculosis), which may necessitate further evaluation and treatment.

Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves’ disease, polymyositis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome) have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reconstitution; however, the time to onset is more variable, and can occur many months after initiation of treatment.

Patient Counseling Information

Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide).

Lactic Acidosis

Inform patients of the importance of early recognition of symptoms of symptomatic hyperlactatemia or lactic acidosis syndrome, which include unexplained weight loss, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dyspnea, and motor weakness. Patients in whom these symptoms develop should seek medical attention immediately. Discontinuation of ZERIT therapy may be required. Advise pregnant individuals of the potential risks of lactic acidosis syndrome/hepatic steatosis syndrome [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and Use In Specific Populations].

Hepatic Toxicity

Inform patients that hepatotoxicity, which may be fatal, may occur in patients treated with ZERIT in combination with didanosine and hydroxyurea. ZERIT is contraindicated in combination with didanosine [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. Avoid coadministration of ZERIT with hydroxyurea [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and DRUG INTERACTIONS].

Peripheral Neuropathy

Inform patients that an important toxicity of ZERIT is peripheral neuropathy. Make patients aware that peripheral neuropathy is manifested by numbness, tingling, or pain in hands or feet, and that these symptoms should be reported to their physicians. Counsel patients that peripheral neuropathy occurs with greatest frequency in patients who have advanced HIV-1 disease or a history of peripheral neuropathy, and discontinuation of ZERIT may be required if toxicity develops.

Instruct caregivers of young children receiving ZERIT therapy regarding detection and reporting of peripheral neuropathy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Pancreatitis

Inform patients that an increased risk of pancreatitis, which may be fatal, may occur in patients treated with the combination of ZERIT and didanosine. ZERIT is contraindicated in combination with didanosine [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. Closely monitor patients for symptoms of pancreatitis such as severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and fever.

Instruct patients to avoid alcohol while taking ZERIT. Alcohol may increase the patient’s risk of pancreatitis or liver damage [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Lipoatrophy

Inform patients that loss of body fat (e.g., loss of fat from arms, legs, or face) may occur in individuals receiving ZERIT. Monitor patients receiving ZERIT for clinical signs and symptoms of lipoatrophy. Patients should be questioned routinely about body changes related to lipoatrophy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Pregnancy Registry

Inform patients that there is an antiretroviral pregnancy registry to monitor fetal outcomes of pregnant individuals exposed to ZERIT [see Use In Specific Populations].

Lactation

Advise mothers with HIV-1 not to breastfeed because HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk [see Use In Specific Populations].

Sucrose In ZERIT For Oral Solution

Inform patients with diabetes that ZERIT for oral solution contains 50 mg of sucrose per mL.

Dosing Information

Instruct patients not to miss a dose but if they do, patients should take ZERIT as soon as possible.

Inform patients that it is important to take ZERIT on a regular dosing schedule and to avoid missing doses as it can result in development of resistance.

Patients should be instructed if they take too much ZERIT, they should contact a poison control center or emergency room right away.

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

In 2-year carcinogenicity studies in mice and rats, stavudine was noncarcinogenic at doses which produced exposures (AUC) 39 and 168 times, respectively, human exposure at the recommended clinical dose. Benign and malignant liver tumors in mice and rats and malignant urinary bladder tumors in male rats occurred at levels of exposure 250 (mice) and 732 (rats) times human exposure at the recommended clinical dose.

Stavudine was not mutagenic in the Ames, E. coli reverse mutation, or the CHO/HGPRT mammalian cell forward gene mutation assays, with and without metabolic activation. Stavudine produced positive results in the in vitro human lymphocyte clastogenesis and mouse fibroblast assays, and in the in vivo mouse micronucleus test. In the in vitro assays, stavudine elevated the frequency of chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes (concentrations of 25 to 250 μg/mL, without metabolic activation) and increased the frequency of transformed foci in mouse fibroblast cells (concentrations of 25 to 2500 μg/mL, with and without metabolic activation). In the in vivo micronucleus assay, stavudine was clastogenic in bone marrow cells following oral stavudine administration to mice at dosages of 600 to 2000 mg/kg/day for 3 days.

No evidence of impaired fertility was seen in rats with exposures (based on AUC) up to 137 times human exposure at the RHD.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Exposure Registry

There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in individuals exposed to ZERIT during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) at 1-800-258-4263.

Risk Summary

Fatal lactic acidosis has been reported in pregnant individuals who received the combination of stavudine and didanosine with other antiretroviral agents. It is unclear if pregnancy augments the risk of lactic acidosis/hepatic steatosis syndrome reported in non-pregnant individuals receiving nucleoside analogues [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. The combination of ZERIT and didanosine is contraindicated [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].

Prospective pregnancy data from APR are not sufficient to adequately assess the risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse developmental outcomes. Available data from the APR show no increase in overall risk of major birth defects compared with 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP). The rate of miscarriage is not reported in the APR. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risks of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 15 to 20%.

In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed with oral administration of stavudine at clinically relevant exposures. No developmental toxicities were observed in rats and rabbits at systemic exposures 112 (AUC) and 183 (Cmax) times, respectively, the exposures in humans at the recommended human dose (RHD) of ZERIT (see Data).

Clinical Considerations

Maternal Adverse Reactions

Cases of lactic acidosis syndrome, sometimes fatal have occurred in pregnant individuals using ZERIT in combination with didanosine. ZERIT is associated with an increased risk of lactic acidosis syndrome/hepatic steatosis syndrome [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Data

Human Data

Based on prospective reports to the APR of live births following exposure to stavudine-containing regimens during pregnancy (including 811 exposed in the first trimester and 196 exposed in the second/third trimester), the prevalence of birth defects in live births for stavudine was 2.6% (95% CI: 1.6 % to 3.9%) with first trimester exposure and 3.1% (95% CI: 1.1% to 6.5%) with second/third trimester exposure compared to the background birth defect rate of 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the MACDP.

Prospective reports from the APR of overall major birth defects in pregnancies exposed to ZERIT is compared with a U.S. background major birth defect rate. Methodological limitations of the APR include the use of MACDP as the external comparator group. Limitations of using an external comparator include differences in methodology and populations, as well as confounding due to the underlying disease.

Animal Data

Stavudine was administered orally to pregnant rats (0, 50, 250, and 1000 mg/kg/day from gestation day 6 to 17) and rabbits (0, 60, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg/day from gestation day 6 to 18). In rats, fetal skeletal variations, including increased unossified or incomplete ossification of sternebra, were observed at the highest dose (1000 mg/kg/day) (approximately 488 times human AUC exposure at the RHD). In rabbits, there were no developmental effects up to the highest dose of 600 mg/kg (approximately 183 times human Cmax exposure at the RHD).

In the pre/post-natal development study, stavudine was administered orally to rats at 0, 50, 250, and 1000 mg/kg/day from gestation day 17 to postnatal day 21. Post-implantation loss and an increase in early neonatal mortality was observed at 1000 mg/kg/day (approximately 488 times human AUC exposure at the RHD). No developmental effects were observed at 250 mg/kg/day (approximately 112 times human AUC exposure at the RHD).

Stavudine was transferred to the fetus through the placenta in rats with concentrations in fetal tissues approximately half the concentration detected in maternal plasma.

Lactation

Risk Summary

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that HIV-infected mothers not breastfeed their infants to avoid risking postnatal transmission of HIV.

Based on limited data, stavudine has been detected in human milk. No data are available regarding the effects of stavudine on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production.

Because of the potential for (1) HIV transmission (in HIV-negative infants), (2) developing viral resistance (in HIV-positive infants) and (3) adverse reactions in breastfed infants similar to those seen in adults, instruct mothers not to breastfeed if they are receiving ZERIT.

Pediatric Use

Use of stavudine in pediatric patients from birth through adolescence is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of stavudine in adults with additional pharmacokinetic and safety data in pediatric patients [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and ADVERSE REACTIONS].

Adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities reported to occur in pediatric patients in clinical studies were generally consistent with the safety profile of stavudine in adults. These studies include ACTG 240, where 105 pediatric patients ages 3 months to 6 years received ZERIT 2 mg/kg/day for a median of 6.4 months; a controlled clinical trial where 185 newborns received ZERIT 2 mg/kg/day either alone or in combination with didanosine from birth through 6 weeks of age; and a clinical trial where 8 newborns received ZERIT 2 mg/kg/day in combination with didanosine and nelfinavir from birth through 4 weeks of age.

Stavudine pharmacokinetics have been evaluated in 25 HIV-1-infected pediatric patients ranging in age from 5 weeks to 15 years and in weight from 2 to 43 kg after IV or oral administration of single doses and twice-daily regimens and in 30 HIV-1-exposed or -infected newborns ranging in age from birth to 4 weeks after oral administration of twice-daily regimens [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY,  Table 9)].

Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of ZERIT (stavudine) did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently than younger patients. Greater sensitivity of some older individuals to the effects of ZERIT cannot be ruled out.

In a monotherapy Expanded Access Program for patients with advanced HIV-1 infection, peripheral neuropathy or peripheral neuropathic symptoms were observed in 15 of 40 (38%) elderly patients receiving 40 mg twice daily and 8 of 51 (16%) elderly patients receiving 20 mg twice daily. Of the approximately 12,000 patients enrolled in the Expanded Access Program, peripheral neuropathy or peripheral neuropathic symptoms developed in 30% of patients receiving 40 mg twice daily and 25% of patients receiving 20 mg twice daily. Elderly patients should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

ZERIT is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, it may be useful to monitor renal function. Dose adjustment is recommended for patients with renal impairment [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Renal Impairment

Data from two studies in adults indicated that the apparent oral clearance of stavudine decreased and the terminal elimination half-life increased as creatinine clearance decreased. Based on these observations, it is recommended that the ZERIT dosage be modified in patients with reduced creatinine clearance and in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

 

Overdosage & Contraindications

OVERDOSE

Experience with adults treated with 12 to 24 times the recommended daily dosage revealed no acute toxicity. Complications of chronic overdosage include peripheral neuropathy and hepatic toxicity. Stavudine can be removed by hemodialysis; the mean ± SD hemodialysis clearance of stavudine is 120 ± 18 mL/min. Whether stavudine is eliminated by peritoneal dialysis has not been studied.

 

CONTRAINDICATIONS

ZERIT is contraindicated in patients with clinically significant hypersensitivity to stavudine or to any of the components contained in the formulation.

Co-administration of ZERIT with didanosine is contraindicated due to the potential for serious and/or life-threatening events notably lactic acidosis, hepatotoxicity, peripheral neuropathy, and pancreatitis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

 

Clinical Pharmacology

Mechanism Of Action

Stavudine is an antiretroviral drug [see Microbiology].

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of stavudine have been evaluated in HIV-1-infected adult and pediatric patients (Tables 7, 8, and 9). Peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) increased in proportion to dose after both single and multiple doses ranging from 0.03 to 4 mg/kg. There was no significant accumulation of stavudine with repeated administration every 6, 8, or 12 hours.

Absorption

Following oral administration, stavudine is rapidly absorbed, with peak plasma concentrations occurring within 1 hour after dosing. The systemic exposure to stavudine is the same following administration as capsules or solution. Steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters of ZERIT (stavudine) in HIV-1-infected adults are shown in Table 7.

Table 7: Steady-State Pharmacokinetic Parameters of ZERIT in HIV-1-Infected Adults

Parameter	ZERIT 40 mg BID Mean ± SD (n=8)
AUC0-24 (ng•h/mL)	2568 ± 454
Cmax (ng/mL)	536 ± 146
Cmin (ng/mL)	8 ± 9
AUC0–24 = Area under the curve over 24 hours. Cmax = Maximum plasma concentration. Cmin = Trough or minimum plasma concentration.

Distribution

Binding of stavudine to serum proteins was negligible over the concentration range of 0.01 to 11.4 μg/mL. Stavudine distributes equally between red blood cells and plasma. Volume of distribution is shown in Table 8.

Metabolism

Metabolism plays a limited role in the clearance of stavudine. Unchanged stavudine was the major drug-related component circulating in plasma after an 80-mg dose of ¹⁴C-stavudine, while metabolites constituted minor components of the circulating radioactivity. Minor metabolites include oxidized stavudine, glucuronide conjugates of stavudine and its oxidized metabolite, and an N-acetylcysteine conjugate of the ribose after glycosidic cleavage, suggesting that thymine is also a metabolite of stavudine.

Elimination

Following an 80-mg dose of ¹⁴C-stavudine to healthy subjects, approximately 95% and 3% of the total radioactivity was recovered in urine and feces, respectively. Radioactivity due to parent drug in urine and feces was 73.7% and 62.0%, respectively. The mean terminal elimination half-life is approximately 2.3 hours following single oral doses. Mean renal clearance of the parent compound is approximately 272 mL/min, accounting for approximately 67% of the apparent oral clearance.

In HIV-1-infected patients, renal elimination of unchanged drug accounts for about 40% of the overall clearance regardless of the route of administration (Table 8). The mean renal clearance was about twice the average endogenous creatinine clearance, indicating active tubular secretion in addition to glomerular filtration.

Table 8: Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Stavudine in HIV-1-Infected Adults: Bioavailability, Distribution, and Clearance

Parameter	Mean ± SD	n
Oral bioavailability (%)	86.4 ± 18.2	25
Volume of distribution (L)a	46 ± 21	44
Total body clearance (mL/min)a	594 ±164	44
Apparent oral clearance (mL/min)b	560 ±182c	113
Renal clearance (mL/min)a	237 ± 98	39
Elimination half-life, IV dose (h)a	1.15 ± 0.35	44
Elimination half-life, oral dose (h)b	1.6 ± 0.23	8
Urinary recovery of stavudine (% of dose)a,d	42 ± 14	39
a Following 1-hour IV infusion. b Following single oral dose. c Assuming a body weight of 70 kg. d Over 12–24 hours.

Special Populations

Pediatric

Pharmacokinetic parameters of stavudine in pediatric patients are presented in Table 9.

Table 9: Pharmacokinetic Parameters (Mean ± SD) of Stavudine in HIV-1-Exposed or -Infected Pediatric Patients

Parameter	Ages 5 weeks to 15 years	n	Ages 14 to 28 days	n	Day of Birth	n
Oral bioavailability (%)	76.9 ± 31.7	20	ND		ND
Volume of distribution (L/kg)a	0.73 ± 0.32	21	ND		ND
Ratio of CSF: plasma concentrations (as %)b	59 ± 35	8	ND		ND
Total body clearance (mL/min/kg)a	9.75 ± 3.76	21	ND		ND
Apparent oral clearance (mL/min/kg)c	13.75 ± 4.29	20	11.52 ± 5.93	30	5.08 ± 2.80	17
Elimination half-life, IV dose (h)a	1.11 ± 0.28	21	ND		ND
Elimination half-life, oral dose (h)c	0.96 ± 0.26	20	1.59 ± 0.29	30	5.27 ± 2.01	17
Urinary recovery of stavudine (% of dose)c,d	34 ± 16	19	ND		ND
a Following 1-hour IV infusion. b At median time of 2.5 hours (range 2–3 hours) following multiple oral doses. c Following single oral dose. d Over 8 hours. ND = Not determined.

Renal Impairment

Data from two studies in adults indicated that the apparent oral clearance of stavudine decreased and the terminal elimination half-life increased as creatinine clearance decreased (see Table 10). Cmax and Tmax were not significantly altered by renal impairment. The mean ± SD hemodialysis clearance value of stavudine was 120 ± 18 mL/min (n=12); the mean ± SD percentage of the stavudine dose recovered in the dialysate, timed to occur between 2–6 hours post-dose, was 31 ± 5%. Based on these observations, it is recommended that ZERIT (stavudine) dosage be modified in patients with reduced creatinine clearance and in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Table 10: Mean ± SD Pharmacokinetic Parameter Values of ZERITa in Adults with Varying Degrees of Renal Function

	Creatinine Clearance			Hemodialysis Patientsb (n=11)
	>50 mL/min (n=10)	26-50 mL/min (n=5)	9-25 mL/min (n=5)
Creatinine clearance (mL/min)	104 ± 28	41 ± 5	17 ± 3	NA
Apparent oral clearance (mL/min)	335 ± 57	191 ± 39	116 ± 25	105 ± 17
Renal clearance (mL/min)	167 ± 65	73 ± 18	17 ± 3	NA
T½ (h)	1.7 ± 0.4	3.5 ± 2.5	4.6 ± 0.9	5.4 ± 1.4
a Single 40-mg oral dose. b Determined while patients were off dialysis. T½ = Terminal elimination half-life. NA = Not applicable.

Hepatic Impairment

Stavudine pharmacokinetics were not altered in five non-HIV-infected patients with hepatic impairment secondary to cirrhosis (Child-Pugh classification B or C) following the administration of a single 40-mg dose.

Geriatric

Stavudine pharmacokinetics have not been studied in patients >65 years of age [See Use In Specific Populations ]

Gender

A population pharmacokinetic analysis of data collected during a controlled clinical study in HIV-1-infected patients showed no clinically important differences between males (n=291) and females (n=27).

Race

A population pharmacokinetic analysis of data collected during a controlled clinical study in HIV-1-infected patients showed no clinically important differences between races (n=233 Caucasian, 39 African-American, 41 Hispanic, 1 Asian, and 4 other).

Drug Interaction Studies

Stavudine does not inhibit the major cytochrome P450 isoforms CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4; therefore, it is unlikely that clinically significant drug interactions will occur with drugs metabolized through these pathways. Because stavudine is not protein-bound, it is not expected to affect the pharmacokinetics of protein-bound drugs.

Tables 11 and 12 summarize the effects on AUC and Cmax, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) when available, following coadministration of ZERIT with didanosine, lamivudine, and nelfinavir. No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions were observed.

Table 11: Results of Drug Interaction Studies with ZERIT: Effects of Coadministered Drug on Stavudine Plasma AUC and Cmax Values

Drug	Stavudine Dosage	na	AUC of Stavudine (95% CI)	Cmax of Stavudine (95% CI)
Didanosine, 100 mg q12h for 4 days	40 mg q12h for 4 days	10	↔	↔17%
Lamivudine, 150 mg single dose	40 mg single dose	18	↔ (92.7-100.6%)	↑ 12% (100.3-126.1%)
Nelfinavir, 750 mg q8h for 56 days	30-40 mg q12h for 56 days	8	↔	↔
↑ Indicates increase. ↔ Indicates no change, or mean increase or decrease of <10%. a HIV-1-infected patients.

Table 12: Results of Drug Interaction Studies with ZERIT: Effects of Stavudine on Coadministered Drug Plasma AUC and Cmax Values

Drug	Stavudine Dosage	na	AUC of Coadministered Drug (95% CI)	Cmax of Coadministered Drug (95% CI)
Didanosine, 100 mg q12h for 4 days	40 mg q12h for 4 days	10	↔	↔
Lamivudine, 150 mg single dose	40 mg single dose	18	↔ (90.5-107.6%)	↔ (87.1-110.6%)
Nelfinavir, 750 mg q8h for 56 days	30-40 mg q12h for 56 days	8	↔	↔
↔ Indicates no change, or mean increase or decrease of <10%. a HIV-1-infected patients.

Microbiology

Mechanism Of Action

Stavudine, a nucleoside analogue of thymidine, is phosphorylated by cellular kinases to the active metabolite stavudine triphosphate. Stavudine triphosphate inhibits the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) by competing with the natural substrate thymidine triphosphate (Ki=0.0083 to 0.032 μM) and by causing DNA chain termination following its incorporation into viral DNA. Stavudine triphosphate inhibits cellular DNA polymerases β and β and markedly reduces the synthesis of mitochondrial DNA.

Antiviral Activity In Cell Culture

The cell culture antiviral activity of stavudine was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, monocytic cells, and lymphoblastoid cell lines. The concentration of drug necessary to inhibit HIV-1 replication by 50% (EC50) ranged from 0.009 to 4 μM against laboratory and clinical isolates of HIV-1. In cell culture, stavudine exhibited antagonistic activity in combination with zidovudine. The anti-HIV-1 activity of stavudine in combination with either abacavir, didanosine, tenofovir, or zalcitabine was not antagonistic. Ribavirin, at the 9–45 μM concentrations tested, reduced the anti-HIV-1 activity of stavudine by 2.5- to 5-fold. The relationship between cell culture susceptibility of HIV-1 to stavudine and the inhibition of HIV-1 replication in humans has not been established.

Resistance

HIV-1 isolates with reduced susceptibility to stavudine have been selected in cell culture (strain-specific) and were also obtained from patients treated with stavudine. Phenotypic analysis of HIV1 isolates from 61 patients receiving prolonged (6–29 months) stavudine monotherapy showed that post-therapy isolates from four patients exhibited EC50 values more than 4-fold (range 7- to 16fold) higher than the average pretreatment susceptibility of baseline isolates. Of these, HIV-1 isolates from one patient contained the zidovudine-resistance-associated substitutions T215Y and K219E, and isolates from another patient contained the multiple-nucleoside-resistance-associated substitution Q151M. Mutations in the RT gene of HIV-1 isolates from the other two patients were not detected. The genetic basis for stavudine susceptibility changes has not been identified.

Cross-resistance

Cross-resistance among HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors has been observed. Several studies have demonstrated that prolonged stavudine treatment can select and/or maintain thymidine analogue mutation (TAMs) substitutions in the HIV-1 RT (M41L, D67N, K70R, L210W, T215Y/F, K219Q/E) associated with zidovudine resistance. HIV-1 isolates with one or more TAMs substitutions exhibited reduced susceptibility to stavudine in cell culture. These TAMs substitutions are seen at a similar frequency with stavudine and zidovudine in virological treatment. The clinical relevance of these findings suggests that stavudine should be avoided in the presence of thymidine analogue mutation substitutions.

Clinical Studies

Combination Therapy

The combination use of ZERIT is based on the results of clinical studies in HIV-1-infected patients in double- and triple-combination regimens with other antiretroviral agents.

One of these studies (START 1) was a multicenter, randomized, open-label study comparing ZERIT (40 mg twice daily) plus lamivudine plus indinavir to zidovudine plus lamivudine plus indinavir in 202 treatment-naive patients. Both regimens resulted in a similar magnitude of inhibition of HIV-1 RNA levels and increases in CD4+ cell counts through 48 weeks.

Monotherapy

The efficacy of ZERIT was demonstrated in a randomized, double-blind study (AI455-019, conducted 1992–1994) comparing ZERIT with zidovudine in 822 patients with a spectrum of HIV-1-related symptoms. The outcome in terms of progression of HIV-1 disease and death was similar for both drugs.

 

Medication Guide

PATIENT INFORMATION

ZERIT®
(Zair-it)
(stavudine) for oral solution

What is the most important information I should know about ZERIT?

ZERIT can cause serious side effects, including:

• Build-up of an acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis can happen in some people who take ZERIT or similar medicines (nucleoside analogues). Lactic acidosis is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Do not take ZERIT with didanosine.
  Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms which could be signs of lactic acidosis:
  • feel very weak or tired
  • feel cold, especially in your arms and legs
  • have unusual (not normal) muscle pain
  • feel dizzy or lightheaded
  • have trouble breathing
  • have a fast or irregular heartbeat
  • have stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
  • weight loss
• Severe liver problems. Severe liver problems, including liver failure can happen in people who take ZERIT. In some cases, these liver problems can lead to death. Your liver may become large (hepatomegaly) and you may develop fat in your liver (steatosis). Taking ZERIT with medicines that contain didanosine or hydroxyurea may increase your risk for liver problems.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems:

• your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice)
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• dark or “tea-colored” urine
• light colored stools (bowel movements)
• pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area

You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, are very overweight (obese), or have been taking nucleoside analogue medicines for a long time.

• Neurologic problems including weakness of your legs, feet, arms, or hands (motor weakness) and numbness, tingling or pain in your hands or feet (peripheral neuropathy). Peripheral neuropathy can be common and severe and happens more often in people who have advanced HIV-1 disease, have a history of peripheral neuropathy, or in people who take other medicines that can cause peripheral neuropathy. In some cases, symptoms of neurologic problems may continue, worsen or temporarily worsen after you stop treatment with ZERIT.
  Neurologic problems can be difficult to notice in children who take ZERIT. Ask your child’s healthcare provider for the signs and symptoms of neurologic problems in children.
• Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis) can happen in people who take ZERIT in combination with didanosine and can lead to death. Do not take ZERIT with didanosine.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of pancreatitis:

• severe stomach (abdomen) pain
• nausea and vomiting
• swelling of your stomach
• fever

For more information about side effects, see “What are the possible side effects of ZERIT?”

What is ZERIT?

ZERIT is a prescription medicine that is used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-1 infection.

HIV-1 is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Do not take ZERIT if you:

• are allergic to stavudine or any of the ingredients in ZERIT. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of the ingredients in ZERIT.
• take a medicine that contains didanosine.

Before taking ZERIT, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have or had liver problems, including hepatitis C virus infection
• have or had problems with your pancreas
• have or had kidney problems
• are receiving dialysis
• have or had numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands or feet (peripheral neuropathy)
• have diabetes. ZERIT for oral solution contains 50 mg of sucrose (sugar) per mL
• drink alcoholic beverages
• have any other medical conditions
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ZERIT will harm your unborn baby.
  Pregnancy Registry: There is a pregnancy registry for women who take antiretroviral medicines, including ZERIT during pregnancy. The purpose of the registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take ZERIT.
  • You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.
  • ZERIT can pass into your breast milk and it could harm your baby.

Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take a medicine called hydroxyurea.

Some medicines interact with ZERIT. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

• You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with ZERIT.
• Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take ZERIT with other medicines.

How should I take ZERIT?

• Take ZERIT exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
• Your healthcare provider will tell you how much ZERIT to take and when to take it.
• ZERIT may be taken with or without food.
• ZERIT should be taken every 12 hours.
• Your child's healthcare provider should give you instructions on how to give ZERIT to your child.
• Shake the bottle of ZERIT oral solution well before measuring each dose. Use the measuring cup provided by your pharmacist to give a dose of ZERIT oral solution.
• Your healthcare provider may change your dose. Do not change your dose of ZERIT without talking to your healthcare provider.
• Do not miss a dose of ZERIT. If you miss a dose of ZERIT, take it as soon as possible.
• It is important to take ZERIT on a regular schedule. The virus in your blood may increase and the virus may become harder to treat if you miss doses.
• If you take too much ZERIT, contact a poison control center or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

What should I avoid while taking ZERIT?

• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking ZERIT. Alcohol may increase your risk of side effects during treatment with ZERIT.

What are the possible side effects of ZERIT?

ZERIT can cause serious side effects including:

• See “What is the most important information I should know about ZERIT?”
• Loss of body fat (lipoatrophy) from the arms, legs, or face. Loss of body fat (lipoatrophy) happens more often in people who take ZERIT than in people who take other similar HIV-1 medicines. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for changes in your body fat. It is important to tell your healthcare provider if you notice any changes.
• Changes in your immune system (immune reconstitution syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV1 medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having new symptoms after starting your HIV-1 medicine.

The most common side effects of ZERIT include:

• headache
• nausea
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• rash

These are not all the possible side effects of ZERIT. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store ZERIT?

Capsules

• Store ZERIT capsules in a tightly closed container at room temperature at 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).Store ZERIT capsules in a tightly closed container.

Oral solution

• Store ZERIT oral solution in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
• Store ZERIT oral solution in a tightly closed container.
• Throw away any unused ZERIT oral solution after 30 days. Keep ZERIT and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of ZERIT.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use ZERIT for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give ZERIT to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about ZERIT that is written for health professionals.

What are the ingredients in ZERIT?

Active ingredient: stavudine

Inactive ingredients: ZERIT capsules: microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, lactose, and magnesium stearate. The gelatin shell contains: gelatin, titanium oxide, and iron oxide.

ZERIT for oral solution: methylparaben, propylparaben, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sucrose, and antifoaming and flavoring agents.

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.