- WHAT IS ddC?
- WHO SHOULD TAKE ddC?
- WHAT ABOUT DRUG RESISTANCE?
- HOW IS ddC TAKEN?
- WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?
- HOW DOES ddC REACT WITH OTHER DRUGS?
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PrintWHAT
IS ddC?
ddC (Hivid®), is a drug used for antiviral
therapy. It is manufactured by Roche. ddC is also known as
zalcitabine or dideoxycytidine.
ddC is a nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor,
or nuke. These drugs block the reverse transcriptase enzyme. This
enzyme changes HIV’s genetic material (RNA) into the form of DNA.
This has to occur before HIV’s genetic code gets inserted into
an infected cell’s own genetic codes.
ddC?
ddC was approved as an antiviral drug for people with HIV infection.
There are no absolute rules about when to start antiviral drugs.
You and your doctor should consider your T-cell count, your viral
load, any symptoms you are having, and your attitude about taking
HIV medications. Fact Sheet 411
has more information about guidelines
for the use of antiviral medications.
If you take ddC with other antiviral drugs, you can reduce
your viral load to extremely low levels, and increase your T-cell
counts. This should mean staying healthier longer.
RESISTANCE?
Many new copies of HIV are mutations. They are slightly different
from the original virus. Some mutations can keep multiplying
even when you are taking an antiviral drug. When this happens,
the drug will stop working. This is called “developing resistance”
to the drug. See Fact Sheet 414
for more information on resistance.
Sometimes, if your virus develops resistance to one drug, it
will also have resistance to other antiviral drugs. This is called
“cross-resistance”.
Resistance can develop quickly. It is very important to
take antiviral medications according to instructions, on schedule,
and not to skip or reduce doses.
ddC is available in tablets of 0.75mg or 0.375mg. The normal
adult dose is one 0.75mg tablet three times a day.
ddC should be taken on an empty stomach: 2 hours after eating,
or 1 hour before a meal.
Be sure your doctor knows if you have had liver or kidney problems.
Your liver and kidney will have to be watched carefully if you
take ddC, and your doctor might decide that you should not use
ddC at all.
WHAT
ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?
When you start any antiviral treatment you may have temporary
side effects such as headaches, hypertension, or a general sense
of feeling ill. These side effects usually get better or disappear
over time.
The most common side effects of ddC are rashes, chest pain,
fever, nausea, changes in liver function, and mouth sores.
The most serious side effects of ddC are peripheral
neuropathy and, in rare cases, pancreatitis.
Peripheral neuropathy is a form of nerve damage. It
usually shows up as tingling, numbness, or a sharp burning sensation
in the feet, legs, or hands. The nerve damage is usually temporary
and will go away if you stop taking ddC, or reduce the dose. If
you continue to take ddC after nerve damage shows up, it may become
permanent.
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, a large
gland located behind the stomach. Pancreatitis can be fatal. If
you are taking ddC and have sharp pain near your stomach, back,
or sides, with nausea and vomiting, you should stop taking ddC
immediately and call your doctor.
REACT WITH OTHER DRUGS?
ddC is more effective if taken with other antiviral
drugs.
ddC should not be combined with 3TC (lamivudine, Epivir®),
d4T (stavudine, Zerit®), or ddI (didanosine, Videx®).
Blood levels of ddC may be decreased by antacids or
cimetidine.
Blood levels of ddC may be increased by aminoglycosides,
amphotericin B, foscarnet, or probenecid.
Several other medications can make the side effects of ddC
worse. Be sure your doctor knows about all the medications you
are taking.
Revised February
7, 2002
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