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What is Zerit
 Zerit
is an antiviral medication. It is in a category of HIV medicines
called reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Zerit inhibits the
reproduction of HIV in the body.
Zerit
is used to treat the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which
causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Zerit
is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Zerit
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Zerit
Lactic acidosis and severe liver problems, including
fatal cases, have been reported with the use of reverse
transcriptase inhibitors, such as Zerit, alone or in combination.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience nausea,
vomiting, or unusual or unexpected stomach discomfort; weakness
and tiredness; shortness of breath; weakness in the arms
and legs; yellowing of the skin or eyes; or pain in the
upper stomach area. These may be early symptoms of lactic
acidosis or liver problems.
Serious cases of pancreatitis
(inflammation of the pancreas) have been reported with the
use of Zerit. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop
symptoms of pancreatitis including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
abdominal pain.
Avoid alcohol while taking Zerit.
Alcohol may increase the risk of damage to the pancreas
and/or liver.
The most common side effect from Zerit
therapy is peripheral neuropathy, which may cause loss of
feeling, numbness, tingling, or pain in a part of the body.
Approximately 20% of patients taking Zerit will experience
peripheral neuropathy. Contact your doctor if you experience
any of these side effects.
Follow your doctor's instructions
with respect to high-risk activities such as unprotected
sex and the sharing of needles. Zerit is not a cure for
HIV or AIDS, and you can still transmit the virus to others
during therapy with this medication.
What you should find out before taking
Zerit
Before taking Zerit, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
-
pancreatitis; or
- a history of peripheral neuropathy
(numbness or tingling). or
You may not be able to
take Zerit, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special
monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions
listed above.
The Zerit oral solution contains 50
mg of sucrose per mL. Individuals with diabetes may need
to monitor their intake of sucrose.
Zerit is in the
FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known
whether it will harm an unborn baby. Fatal lactic acidosis
has been reported in pregnant women treated with the combination
of didanosine (Videx, Videx EC) and Zerit with other antiretroviral
medicines. It is very important to treat HIV/AIDS during
pregnancy to reduce the risk of infecting the baby. Talk
to your doctor about your treatment options.
It is
not known whether Zerit passes into breast milk and What
effect it may have on a nursing baby. To prevent transmission
of the virus to uninfected babies, it is recommended that
HIV-positive mothers not breast-feed. Talk to your doctor
about breast-feeding if you are taking Zerit.
How should take Zerit Take Zerit exactly as directed by your doctor. If
you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Zerit can be taken
with or without food.
Shake the suspension well before
measuring a dose.
To ensure that you get a correct
dose, measure the liquid form of Zerit with a special dose-measuring
spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do
not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for
one.
Swallow the extended-release capsules (Zerit
XR) whole, without crushing or chewing. If swallowing the
capsules is difficult, they can be carefully opened and
the contents mixed with two tablespoons of applesauce or
yogurt. The mixture should then be swallowed whole, without
chewing or crushing the beads. Consume the mixture immediately,
do not save it for later use.
Treatment of HIV/AIDS
almost always requires the use of two or more drugs. If
you need to stop taking one of the medicines you are taking
for HIV, you should stop all of them until you can talk
to your doctor.
It is important to take Zerit regularly
to get the most benefit.
Your doctor may want you
to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during
treatment with Zerit to monitor progress and side effects.
Store Zerit capsules at room temperature away from
moisture and heat.
Store the Zerit suspension in
the refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (36 to
46 degrees Fahrenheit). Throw away any unused suspension
after 30 days.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose,
skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed.
Do not take a double dose of this medication unless your
doctor directs otherwise.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Zerit overdose include liver damage (yellowing of the
skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual
bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue) and numbness, tingling,
or pain in a part of the body.
Avoid while taking Zerit Follow your doctor's instructions with respect to
high-risk activities such as unprotected sex and the sharing
of needles. Zerit is not a cure for HIV or AIDS, and you
can still transmit the virus to others during therapy with
this medication.
Avoid alcohol while taking Zerit.
Alcohol may increase the risk of damage to the pancreas
and/or liver.
Possible side effects of Zerit Stop taking Zerit and seek emergency medical attention
if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing;
closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or
face; or hives).
Lactic acidosis and severe liver
problems, including fatal cases, have been reported with
the use of reverse transcriptase inhibitors, such as Zerit,
alone or in combination. Contact your doctor immediately
if you experience nausea, vomiting, or unusual or unexpected
stomach discomfort; weakness and tiredness; shortness of
breath; weakness in the arms and legs; yellowing of the
skin or eyes; or pain in the upper stomach area. These may
be early symptoms of lactic acidosis or liver problems.
Serious cases of pancreatitis (inflammation of the
pancreas) have been reported with the use of Zerit. Notify
your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of pancreatitis
including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
The most common side effect from Zerit therapy is peripheral
neuropathy, which may cause loss of feeling, numbness, tingling,
or pain in a part of the body. Approximately 20% of patients
taking Zerit will experience peripheral neuropathy. Contact
your doctor if you experience any of these side effects.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely
to occur. Continue to take Zerit and talk to your doctor
if you experience any of the following side effects:
-
headache;
- a fever or chills;
- nausea, vomiting,
or diarrhea;
- insomnia;
- decreased appetite;
- a rash; or
- redistribution of body fat
(loss of fat from the arms, legs, and face and increased
fat around the neck, breast, and trunk).
Side effects
other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Zerit
Zerit
may interact with other medications resulting in reduced effectiveness
and/or side effects. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before
taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications,
including herbal products. |
