Medication Guide

What is stavudine?

Stavudine is a prescription medicine used in combination with other drugs to treat adults and children who are infected with HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that causes AIDS. Stavudine belongs to a class of drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). By reducing the growth of HIV, stavudine helps your body maintain its supply of CD4 cells, which are important for fighting HIV and other infections.

Stavudine will not cure your HIV infection. At present there is no cure for HIV infection. Even while taking stavudine, you may continue to have HIV-related illnesses, including infections caused by other disease-producing organisms. Continue to see your doctor regularly and report any medical problems that occur.

Stavudine does not prevent a person infected with HIV from passing the virus to other people. To protect others, you must continue to practice safe sex and take precautions to prevent others from coming in contact with your blood and other body fluids.

There is limited information on the long-term use of stavudine.