HIVID 0.375mg film-coated tablets medication leaflet

J05AF03 • zalcitabine • Antiinfectives for systemic use | Direct acting antivirals | Nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Zalcitabine is an antiretroviral medication previously used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It belongs to the class of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and works by inhibiting the reverse transcriptase enzyme, which is essential for HIV replication. By blocking this enzyme, zalcitabine reduces viral load and slows disease progression.

Zalcitabine was administered orally, usually three times a day, in combination with other antiretroviral medications as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, its use has largely been replaced by newer medications with better safety and efficacy profiles.

Common side effects included peripheral neuropathy, nausea, headaches, and skin rashes. In rare cases, severe adverse reactions such as pancreatitis, hepatotoxicity, or lactic acidosis could occur.

Although zalcitabine is no longer widely used, it played an important role in the development of antiretroviral therapy. Patients who used this medication required careful monitoring for signs of toxicity and treatment efficacy.