Zalcitabine (discontinued 2006)

Zalcitabine is an HIV drug that use to be prescribed in order to stop the HIV virus from replicating within the body. This medication interferes with the HIV virus’ DNA in order to stop the virus from being able to replicate. Zalcitabine was discontinued in 2006 because of safety concerns.

Warnings/Side Effects

This medication can cause liver damage and lactic acidosis, a potentially fatal disease in which lactic acid builds up in the body because the liver fails to metabolize lactic acid properly. Symptoms of liver problems include severe stomachache, nausea and vomiting, brown urine, black or tarry stools and jaundice. The medication can also cause pancreatitis, which is characterized by stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. It also can cause peripheral nerve damage, which causes numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.