Virostav 40mg Tablet belongs to a group of medicines called antiretrovirals. It is used to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that can cause AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). It helps to control HIV infection so your immune system can work better.

Virostav 40mg Tablet is not a cure for HIV or AIDS and only helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body. This helps to lower your risk of getting HIV-related complications and improves your lifespan. It is prescribed in combination with other HIV medicines. Your doctor will recommend the best medicines for you and will decide the doses that you need. Follow carefully the instructions for all the medicines that you are given. It can be taken with or without food. Taking all these medicines regularly at the right times greatly increases their effectiveness and reduces the chances of HIV becoming resistant to them. It is important not to miss doses and to keep taking them until your doctor tells you it is safe to stop.

Common side effects of this medicine include headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, diarrhea, and rash. These are usually not serious but tell your doctor if they bother you or do not go away. Rarely, some people may experience a skin reaction or liver damage. Your doctor will closely monitor you for these in the initial period of treatment.

Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have any skin problems or liver or kidney disease. While using it, you may need regular blood tests to check your blood counts and liver function. Avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase your risk of liver damage. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before using this medicine. Do not have unprotected sex or share personal items like razors or toothbrushes, if you are HIV positive. Talk to your doctor about safe ways like condoms to prevent HIV transmission during sex.

Uses of Virostav Tablet

HIV infection

Benefits of Virostav Tablet

In HIV infection

Virostav 40mg Tablet prevents the HIV virus from multiplying in your body. It helps control the infection and makes your immune system work better. This lowers your chances of getting complications such as new infections and improves your quality of life.

It is not a cure of HIV or AIDS and should not be used to prevent HIV after accidental exposure to a risk. It is important that you take this medicine as prescribed, following the dosage recommended by your doctor. Taking all doses in the right amount at the right times greatly increases the effectiveness of your combination of medicines and reduces the chances of your HIV infection becoming resistant to antiretroviral medicines. However, taking this medicine will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people.

Side effects of Virostav Tablet

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Virostav

Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Peripheral neuropathy (tingling and numbness of feet and hand)
Rash

How to use Virostav Tablet

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Virostav 40mg Tablet is to be taken empty stomach.

How Virostav Tablet works

Virostav 40mg Tablet is an antiviral medication. It prevents the multiplication of virus in human cells. This stops the virus from producing new viruses and clears up your infection.

Safety advice

Alcohol

CAUTION

Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Virostav 40mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Virostav 40mg Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Virostav 40mg Tablet is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.

Driving

UNSAFE

Virostav 40mg Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Kidney

CAUTION

Virostav 40mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Virostav 40mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Liver

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Virostav 40mg Tablet is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Virostav 40mg Tablet may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you develop any signs and symptoms of jaundice while taking Virostav 40mg Tablet. You may need to stop taking this medicine.

What if you forget to take Virostav Tablet?

If you miss a dose of Virostav 40mg Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

All substitutes

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

Virostav 40mg Tablet

₹4.17/Tablet

Stadin 40mg Tablet

Sain Medicaments Pvt Ltd

₹4.94/tablet

18% costlier

Stahope 40mg Tablet

Macleods Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd

₹3.83/tablet

8% cheaper

Quick tips

In combination with other medicines, it is used for the treatment of HIV infections.
Take it with food, as this increases the absorption of the medicine into the body.
Virostav 40mg Tablet may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
You may still develop infections or other illnesses associated with viral infection while taking this medication.
You can also pass on HIV or HBV to others. Don't share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.
During treatment and for at least six months after stopping this medicine, regular blood tests are needed to monitor your liver function, level of hepatitis B virus and blood cells in your blood.

Fact Box

Chemical Class

Nucleoside analog

Habit Forming

Therapeutic Class

ANTI INFECTIVES

Action Class

Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

Patient concerns

i have unprotected sex with my friend. Can I take any drugs now to prevent any STD/HIV infection

Dr. Shyam Gupta

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Hello PATIENT to 1mg. There is some medicine for prophylactic but you need to see physician for prescription and better you check HIV status of both partner

hello, one of my frnd suffering with hiv infection from last 2yrs her cd4 is more than 470 and viral load is zero undetectable now she is using art medicines i have doubt that can we have to use art medicine in the whole life or can we stop it once we get viral load zero

Dr. Atula Gupta

Dermatology

You still need to be on ART even if the viral load is undetectable

FAQs

Q. What is Virostav 40mg Tablet? What is it used for?

Q. How does Virostav 40mg Tablet work?

Virostav 40mg Tablet prevents the multiplication of the virus in human cells. This stops the virus from producing new viruses and clears up your infection.

Q. Is Virostav 40mg Tablet safe?

Virostav 40mg Tablet is safe if used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Take it exactly as directed and do not skip any dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and let your doctor know if any of the side effects bother you.

Q. How should I take Virostav 40mg Tablet?

Virostav 40mg Tablet should be taken in the dose and duration advised by the doctor. This medicine is to be taken on an empty stomach to get maximum benefit. It is better to take Virostav 40mg Tablet at a fixed time of the day to avoid the chances of missing a dose.

Q. Is Virostav 40mg Tablet effective?

Virostav 40mg Tablet is effective if used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if you see improvement in your condition. If you stop using Virostav 40mg Tablet too early, the symptoms may return or worsen.

Q. What if I forget to take a dose of Virostav 40mg Tablet?

If you forget a dose of Virostav 40mg Tablet, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose in the prescribed time. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one as this may increase the chances of developing side effects.

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Disclaimer:

Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.

References

Flexner C. Antiretroviral Agents and Treatment of HIV Infection. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1633-634.
Safrin S. Antiviral Agents. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 858-59.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1279-81.
Stavudine. Princeton, New Jersey: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. [Accessed 31 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 31 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:

Marketer details

Name: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

Address: Plot no 107/108,Namli block , Ranipool, East Sikkim 737135

Country of origin: India

The list of available options shown with the same composition has been prepared upon the advice of registered medical practitioners, pharmacists affiliated with TATA 1MG. TATA 1MG does not promote any pharmaceutical product of any particular company, and all recommendations are based on the medical opinion, advisories from specialist medical and pharmaceutical professionals.