Zambia withdraws Aids medication

The Zambian ministry of health has withdrawn a popular Aids drug.

Stavudine has been taken out of ARV therapy in the country amid concerns regarding its side effects, postzambia.com reported.

Last week, the World Health Organization warned that the treatment could cause a severe nerve disorder in patients.

The body advised that use of the drug is phased out in favour of other medication.

Dr Reuben Mbewe, a spokesman for the ministry of health, told the news provider that studies have suggested a quarter of patients suffered side effects from 40 milligram doses of Stavudine.

However, he revealed that three-quarters did not show side effects to 30 milligrams of the drug.

Dr Mbewe advised that patients taking the drug stop if they notice any side effects, before then visiting a health centre.

Last week, research showed that the number of HIV infections in Zambia had increased to 82,000 cases, the Zambia Daily Mail reported.

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