[Pharmacosurveillance regarding Colombian patients being treated with stavudine].

OBJECTIVES

Reducing the occurrence of negative stavudine use-associated outcomes by reporting such risk to doctors responsible for the care of HIV/AIDS patients in Colombia as stavudine has been associated with cumulative and irreversible toxicity.

METHODS

All stavudine users were identified from Audifarma S.A. (drug suppliers) databases (covering about 4.5 million people). The risk was then reported to health service providers and the substitution of stavudine for zidovudine or tenofovir was recommended.

RESULTS

It was found that 1,410 patients registered in the afore mentioned databases were receiving antiretroviral therapy during 2010, of whom 109 (7.5 %) were receiving stavudine; these patients were living in 20 cities and being attended by 19 institutions. Stavudine use became reduced by 94.6 % during the 28 months following the intervention. Zidovudine was the most commonly used replacement drug.

DISCUSSION: Stavudine was successfully replaced following World Health Organization recommendations aimed at preventing the occurrence of lipodystrophy and the peripheral neuropathy associated with its use.