Hivid Oral
In Depth
- Uses and How to Use
- Dosage and Storage
- Precautions and Side Effects
- Drug Interactions
- Drug Images
Pronounced: (zal-SITE-uh-bean)
Hivid Oral Uses
This drug, used in combination with other medications, helps to control your HIV infection, thereby improving your quality of life. It also lowers your risk of getting HIV disease complications (e.g., opportunistic infections, cancer). However, this drug is not a cure for HIV infection, and it does not prevent the spread of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination (e.g., sharing needles).
Zalcitabine is an antiviral drug (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-NRTI) that works by slowing the growth of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Zalcitabine is sometimes called "ddC."
One group of HIV medications (the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors-NRTIs such as zidovudine and lamivudine) are very useful. However, NRTIs are recommended to be used in combination with other groups of HIV medications in order to be effective. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
How To Use Hivid Oral
Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually every 8 hours or as directed by your doctor.
Do not take this medication for at least 1 hour before or after taking products that contain magnesium or aluminum such as quinapril, certain forms of didanosine, and antacids. These products bind with zalcitabine, preventing its full absorption. Consult your pharmacist if you have any questions.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
It is very important to continue taking this medication and other anti-HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. Do not skip any doses.
Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed or stop taking it or other HIV medicines, even for a short time, unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause serious problems, such as increasing the amount of the virus in your body, making the virus more difficult to treat (developing resistance), or making side effects worse.
