Stavudine is a medication used to treat HIV/AIDS. It is spelled as [stævju'din], which indicates that the first syllable is pronounced like "stave" with a short "a" sound followed by "ju" with a soft "j" sound, and the second syllable is pronounced with a long "i" sound followed by "dine" as in "dinner". The IPA transcription helps clarify the pronunciation of this word and ensures accurate communication among healthcare professionals and patients.
Stavudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) medication that is used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It belongs to the class of antiretroviral drugs that work by inhibiting the enzyme reverse transcriptase, which is essential for the replication of the virus. Stavudine is also known by its brand name, Zerit.
This medication is available in the form of capsules or oral solution and is typically administered along with other antiretroviral drugs to maximize its effectiveness in managing HIV infection. Stavudine is metabolized in the body into its active form, stavudine triphosphate, which directly interferes with the viral replication process by terminating the viral DNA chain.
Stavudine is indicated for both adult and pediatric patients diagnosed with HIV infection. It is often included as part of the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen to suppress viral replication, reduce viral load, delay disease progression, and improve immune function.
Despite its efficacy, stavudine is associated with various potential side effects, including peripheral neuropathy, lipoatrophy (fat loss), hyperlipidemia (abnormal levels of fats in the blood), and lactic acidosis (build-up of lactic acid in the bloodstream). Due to these side effects and the availability of newer and more tolerable antiretroviral drugs, stavudine has become less commonly used in recent years.
As with any prescription medication, it is crucial to follow the prescribed dosage, frequency, and duration of stavudine treatment, as directed by a healthcare professional. Regular monitoring of viral load and CD4+ cell counts is also recommended
The word "Stavudine" is a compound word consisting of "stav-" and "-udine". "Stav-" is a reference to the drug's developer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, which is located in Stavudine, New Jersey, named after the company's founder, Edward R. Squibb. The "-udine" suffix is commonly used in the names of nucleoside analog antiviral medications, indicating that stavudine is a derivative of a nucleoside.