zidovudine

(zye DOE vue deen)
Retrovir

What is the most important information I should know about zidovudine?

•

Serious blood problems including low levels of red and/or white blood cells have occurred with the use of zidovudine. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop unusual fatigue, pale skin, sore throat, fever, or chills which may be signs of blood problems.

•

Lactic acidosis and severe liver problems, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of reverse transcriptase inhibitors, alone or in combination. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience nausea, vomiting, or unusual or unexpected stomach discomfort; weakness and tiredness; shortness of breath; weakness in the arms and legs; yellowing of the skin or eyes; or pain in the upper stomach area. These may be early symptoms of lactic acidosis or liver problems.

•

Serious, even fatal, cases of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) have been reported with the use of some reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of pancreatitis including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and/or fever.

•

Avoid alcohol while taking zidovudine. Alcohol may increase the risk of damage to the liver and/or pancreas.

•

Follow your doctor's instructions with respect to high-risk activities such as unprotected sex and the sharing of needles. Zidovudine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS, and you can still transmit the virus to others during therapy with this medication.

What is zidovudine?

•

Zidovudine is an antiviral medication. It is in a category of HIV medicines called reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Zidovudine inhibits the reproduction of HIV in the body.

•

Zidovudine is used to treat the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Zidovudine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

•

Zidovudine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking zidovudine?

•

Before taking zidovudine, tell your doctor if you have

kidney disease;

liver disease;

pancreatitis; or

bone marrow suppression.

•

You may not be able to take zidovudine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

•

Zidovudine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether zidovudine will be harmful to an unborn baby. It is very important to treat HIV/AIDS during pregnancy to reduce the risk of infecting the unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

•

It is not known whether zidovudine passes into breast milk and what effect it may have on a nursing baby. To prevent transmission of the virus to uninfected babies, it is recommended that HIV-positive mothers not breast feed.

How should I take zidovudine?

•

Take zidovudine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

•

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

•

Zidovudine can be taken with or without food.

•

To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of zidovudine with a dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

•

It is important to take zidovudine regularly to get the most benefit.

•

Treatment of HIV/AIDS almost always requires the use of two or more drugs. If you need to stop taking one of the medicines you are taking for HIV, you should stop all of them until you can talk to your doctor.

•

Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with zidovudine to monitor progress and side effects.

•

Store zidovudine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

•

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless your doctor directs otherwise.

What happens if I overdose?

•

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

•

Symptoms of a zidovudine overdose include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, lethargy, confusion, and seizures. No deaths have been reported from zidovudine overdose.

What should I avoid while taking zidovudine?

•

Avoid alcohol while taking zidovudine. Alcohol may increase the risk of damage to the liver and/or pancreas.

What are the possible side effects of zidovudine?

•

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking zidovudine and seek emergency medical attention:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

seizures;

rapid, uncontrollable eye movements;

decreased coordination; or

numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands or feet (peripheral neuropathy).

•

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking zidovudine and talk to your doctor if you experience

mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased appetite;

headache;

insomnia;

a rash; or

redistribution of body fat (loss of fat from the arms, legs, and face and increased fat around the neck, breast, and trunk).

•

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect zidovudine?

•

Zidovudine may interact with other medications resulting in reduced effectiveness and/or side effects. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

•

Your pharmacist has more information about zidovudine written for health professionals that you may read.

•

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed

•

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.