Shop products for Stavudine 
Stavudine is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. It is in a class of drugs known as antivirals.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
 May be Beneficial: Depletion or
interference—The medication may deplete or interfere with the absorption or
function of the nutrient. Taking these nutrients may help replenish them. |
Acetyl-L-carnitine |
| May be Beneficial: Side effect
reduction/prevention—Taking these supplements may help reduce the likelihood and/or
severity of a potential side effect caused by the medication. |
Acetyl-L-carnitine Vitamin B1* |
| Supportive interaction |
None known |
| Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability |
None known |
| Adverse interaction |
None known |
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Interactions with Dietary Supplements
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
A 30-year-old woman who was taking stavudine developed a rare side effect called lactic
acidosis, which was successfully treated with intravenous thiamine.1 Controlled
studies are needed to determine whether lactic acidosis might be prevented if people taking
stavudine supplement with vitamin B1. Until more information is available, some health
practitioners may recommend supplemental vitamin B1 to individuals taking stavudine.
Acetyl-L-carnitine
Severe peripheral neuropathy (painful sensations due to nerve damage in the hands and feet)
often develops in people taking stavudine or other drugs in its class. People with peripheral
neuropathy who were taking one of these drugs were found to be deficient in
acetyl-L-carnitine.2 In a preliminary trial, supplementing with 1,500 mg of
acetyl-L-carnitine twice a day resulted in improvement in the neuropathy after six months in
people taking stavudine or related drugs.3
References
1. Schramm C, Wanitschke R, Galle PR. Thiamin for the treatment of nucleoside analogue-induced severe lactic acidosis. Eur J Anaesthesiol 1999;16:733–5.
2. Famularo G, Moretti S, Marcellini S, et al. Acetyl-carnitine deficiency in AIDS patients with neurotoxicity on treatment with antiretroviral nucleoside analogues. AIDS 1997;11:185–90.
3. Hart AM, Wilson ADH, Montovani C, et al. Acetyl-l-carnitine: a pathogenesis based treatment for HIV-associated antiretroviral toxic neuropathy. AIDS 2004;18:1549–60.
