#zerit

[pozmagazine]

HIV No Longer Raises Risk of Severe Liver Disease in Those With Hep C

Better antiretrovirals have likely mitigated HIV’s effects on the risk of end-stage liver disease and liver cancer in those with hep C.

Among people with hepatitis C virus (HCV), being coinfected with HIV is no longer associated with an increased risk of decompensated cirrhosis, also known as end-stage liver disease, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, the most common form of liver cancer), aidsmap reports.

Past research indicated that HIV coinfection among those with HCV increased the risk of end-stage liver disease and liver cancer. But researchers believe that improved antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for HIV as well as higher rates of people on ARV treatment in recent years have mitigated these excess risks.

[joshuagleen]

HIV drug stavudine (Zerit, d4T) and symptoms mimicking Guillain–Barré syndrome

Stavudine (d4T), a thymidine analogue and nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), is often used in combination with other HIV drugs. A known side effect of the drug is a peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling or pain in the hands or feet).3 Stavudine is also associated with a spectrum of lactic acid abnormalities, from asymptomatic, mild hyperlactatemia to a potentially fatal lactic acidosis syndrome (LAS). NRTI-related lactic acidosis can be associated with myopathy (causing muscle wasting, myalgia, fatigue, weakness and elevated creatinine kinase levels), lipoatrophy, hepatic steatosis, liver dysfunction and possible fulminant liver failure, and pancreatitis.4–6 The toxic effects appear to result from mitochondria damage as a result of DNA polymerase γ inhibition, but it is unknown whether the new GBS-like symptoms are mediated similarly.

Hyperlactatemia (and LAS) is often associated with symptoms of generalized fatigue, nausea, vomiting, sudden weight loss, abdominal pain and distension. Tachypnea and dyspnea are not reliable early signs of LAS and may signal a preterminal state. Similarly, although serum transaminase levels can eventually rise in patients with LAS, they are often normal at presentation.4 An elevated plasma lactate level is diagnostic of hyperlactatemia (mild 2–5 mmol/L, severe > 5 mmol/L),7 and patients with LAS often have an additional anion gap metabolic acidosis.

[pharmablogger]

STAVUDINE | All You Need To Know | Ailment.info

complete information on Stavudine including dosage, side effects, interactions and pregnancy & breast feeding warnings for patient and professional use.