Stavudine Dosing

For those who are beginning HIV or AIDS treatment with stavudine, dosing usually starts at 40 mg twice daily (for adults age 18 and older, and who weigh at least 132 pounds). Other factors that may affect your stavudine dosage include other medical conditions you may have and other medications you are taking. It is important not to miss stavudine doses, as this may increase the chance of the virus developing a resistance to the medication.

 

Stavudine Dosing: An Introduction

The dose of stavudine (Zerit®) your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age and weight
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may currently be taking.
     
As always, do not adjust your stavudine dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Stavudine Dosing for Adults

The recommended stavudine dose for treating adults (18 years old and older) with HIV or AIDS is based on weight. For people weighing 132 pounds or more, the recommended starting dose is stavudine 40 mg twice daily. For people who weigh less, the recommended dose is stavudine 30 mg twice daily.
 
Your healthcare provider may recommend a lower stavudine dose if you have kidney disease, if you are taking certain other medications, or if you develop bothersome stavudine side effects.
 

Stavudine Dosing for Children

Your child's healthcare provider will calculate the stavudine dose based on your child's age and weight.
 

General Stavudine Dosing Information

Some considerations for people taking stavudine include the following:
 
  • Stavudine comes in the form of capsules and an oral solution (liquid). It is usually taken by mouth twice a day.
     
  • It does not matter if you take stavudine with food or on an empty stomach. If stavudine bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
     
  • Try to take stavudine at the same times every day, to maintain an even level of the medication in your blood.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It is very important that you closely follow your healthcare provider's instructions for taking stavudine. Missing doses can increase the chance of the virus developing a resistance to stavudine (making it less effective).
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to your stavudine dosage, please talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;