Complete Phase-Out Stavudine Based Regimens in the Treatment of HIV-Infection: is it True That Stavudine Hasn’t Any Benefit Today? A Review

Abstract

Change of Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) in the management of HIV/AIDS is not uncommon. Phase-out of stavudine came with challenges in the low-income countries contrary to the developed ones. Much as stavudine was effective similar to other ARVs we reviewed studies that were used to provide evidence for phase out from 1990 to 2016. We noted that stavudine at low dose was effective compared to standard dose in terms of viral load suppression and immune recovery. The associated side effects were significantly alleviated and occurred at longer period when stavudine dose was given at equal to or less than 30mg per day whether given at single or divided doses. The findings provide evidence for its resumption and to be one of the important drugs for patients that cannot tolerate tenofovir, zidovudine or abacavir based combinations.