Hivid Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Hivid is an anti-HIV medication. It is in a category of HIV medications called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Hivid prevents HIV from altering the genetic material of healthy T-cells. This prevents the cells from producing new virus and decreases the amount of virus in the body.

Hivid is one of the drugs used against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)--the deadly cause of AIDS. HIV does its damage by slowly undermining the immune system, finally leaving the body without any defense against infection. Hivid staves off collapse of the immune system by interfering with the virus's ability to reproduce. Hivid is often combined with a protease inhibitor (Crixivan, Invirase, and Norvir) as part of the "cocktail" of drugs that has proven so effective in halting or even reversing the progress of HIV. Hivid can also be combined with the HIV drug Retrovir, provided you have not already been taking Retrovir for more than 3 months. For people with advanced cases of HIV, Hivid is sometimes prescribed by itself when other drugs don't work or can't be tolerated.

Hivid Dosage

• The usual dose is one 0.750 milligram tablet every 8 hours. Your doctor may adjust the dosage if you have kidney problems. Hivid is recommended for use in combination with other HIV medications.

Uses of Hivid

• An antiviral drug used to treat HIV/AIDS.

Side Effects of Hivid

Although side effects can never be predicted, they are more likely--and more apt to be severe--in people with an advanced case of HIV. If any side effects develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue using Hivid. Side effects may include:

• Abdominal pain
• fatigue
• hives
• itching
• mouth sores and inflammation
• nausea and vomiting
• rash
• tingling
• burning
• numbness
• pain in the hands and feet

Warnings and precautions before taking Hivid:

• If you have an advanced case of HIV, there is a one-in-three chance that Hivid will cause a serious nerve disorder called peripheral neuropathy. The first signs of this problem are numbness, tingling, and burning pain in the hands and feet. Check with your doctor as soon as any of these symptoms develop. If you continue to take Hivid, they will be followed by episodes of intense, sharp, shooting pain or severe, continuous, burning pain--and the condition could become irreversible. If Hivid is stopped promptly, the symptoms will gradually disappear.
• Other rare but dangerous side effects to watch for include liver failure, weakening of the heart, and ulcers in the mouth and the canal to the stomach (esophagus). Kidney disease increases the risk of these side effects. If you've ever had kidney, liver, or heart problems, have hepatitis, or tend to abuse alcohol, be sure your doctor is aware of the situation. If you develop a liver problem, treatment with Hivid may have to be stopped.
• Like other HIV drugs, Hivid sometimes causes a redistribution of body fat, resulting in added weight around the waist, a "buffalo hump" of fat on the upper back, breast enlargement, and wasting of the face, arms, and legs. It's not known why this occurs, or what long-term effects it might have.

Drug Interaction :- A number of drugs can cause peripheral neuropathy and should not be taken with Hivid. The list includes:

• Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
  
• Cisplatin (Platinol)
  
• Dapsone
  
• Disulfiram (Antabuse)
  
• Ethionamide (Trecator-SC)
  
• Glutethimide
  
• Gold
  
• Hydralazine
  
• Iodoquinol (Yodoxin)
  
• Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
  
• Metronidazole (Flagyl)
  
• Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin)
  
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
  
• Ribavirin (Virazole)
  
• Vincristine (Oncovin)

Overdose

Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of Hivid overdose may include:

• Drowsiness
• vomiting
• numbness
• tingling
• burning
• pain in the arms and legs