Warning Over Drug

COUNTRIES should phase out the use of Stavudine, the most widespread antiretroviral, because of "long-term, irreversible" side effects in HIV patients including wasting and a nerve disorder, the World Health Organization said in Geneva yesterday.

In sweeping changes to its guidelines, the WHO also recommended that people with HIV should start taking antiretroviral drugs earlier to live a longer and healthier life.

For the first time it advised HIV-positive women and their babies to take the drugs while breastfeeding to prevent transmission.

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