Zidovudine 100mg

Zidovudine, Retrovir
Description: Antiretroviral, Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor, Nucleoside (Anti-HIV)

“ALERT: US Boxed Warning

Hematologic toxicity:
Zidovudine has been associated with hematologic toxicity, including neutropenia and severe anemia, particularly in patients with advanced HIV-1 disease.

Myopathy:
Prolonged use of zidovudine has been associated with symptomatic myopathy.

​Lactic acidosis/severe hepatomegaly:
Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogs alone or in combination, including with zidovudine and other antiretrovirals. Suspend treatment if clinical or laboratory findings suggestive of lactic acidosis or pronounced hepatotoxicity occur.”

CSA NA – FDA Approved – REMS (N) – Can Ship

Zidovudine, Retrovir acts as a thymidine analog which inhibits HIV viral RNA-dependent DNA polymerase resulting in halted of viral replication.  It also acts as a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.

HIV-1 infection treatment; Perinatal HIV-1 transmission prevention

Before starting Zidovudine, Retrovir make sure your physician is aware of any allergies or medications you currently take, if you have hepatic impairment, renal impairment, are pregnant, or breastfeeding. Zidovudine, Retrovir use has been associated with rare but serious adverse events such as hematologic toxicity, immune reconstitution syndrome, lactic acidosis, hepatomegaly, lipoatrophy, and myopathy.

Prevention of perinatal HIV transmission: IV (preferred route): During labor and delivery: Loading dose: 2 mg/kg followed by a continuous IV infusion of 1 mg/kg/hour until clamping of the umbilical cord
Oral (if IV not possible): Loading dose of 600 mg, then 400 mg every 3 hours

HIV-1 infection treatment: Oral: 300 mg twice daily
IV: 1 mg/kg/dose administered every 4 hours around-the-clock (6 doses daily)

How to Take: Patients should receive IV therapy only until oral therapy can be administered. Use in combination with other antiretroviral agents. Infuse over 1 hour; in pregnant women, infuse loading dose over 1 hour followed by continuous infusion. Administer without regard to meals.

You Need to Avoid:  Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance so avoid starting any new medications without consulting prescriber.   Avoid rapid infusion or bolus injection. Do not administer IM.

Headache, malaise, skin rash, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, macrocytosis, anemia, hepatomegaly, cough, fever

Note this is not a complete list of side effects, only the most common

1. What do I do if side effects are intolerable?
   If side effects are causing a lot of distress speak to your physician as soon as possible to discuss options.