Zidovudine
Description
Zidovudine is an antiviral medicine which is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. It only prevents the virus from multiplying in your body. It is also given to HIV-positive women during pregnancy and labor and delivery and to the babies to prevent perinatal transmission of HIV.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Zidovudine
- Chills and fever
- Sore throat
- Pale skin
- Unusual tiredness
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Difficulty with bowel movements
- Headache
- Weight loss
- Heartburn
- Abdominal and stomach cramps
Uses of Zidovudine
What is it prescribed for?
- HIV infection
- Prevention of Perinatal Transmission of HIV
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time required for this medicine to show its effect is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe time until which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is recommended for use in breastfeeding women only in life-threatening conditions. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to zidovudine or any other components present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is recommended for use in breastfeeding women only in life-threatening conditions. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Immune reconstitution syndrome
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of Immune reconstitution syndrome. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Lactic acidosis
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of Lactic acidosis. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Fat redistribution
Zidovudine may cause fat gain or fat loss from the body. This may result in peripheral wasting, facial wasting, breast enlargement, and Cushingoid appearance. Close monitoring of body weight and body fat distribution is necessary while receiving this medicine. Any changes in the body should be informed to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Tablet, capsule, oral solution: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
Injection: The injection form of this medicine is usually administered in the clinical or hospital setting under the supervision of qualified healthcare professional and hence, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.
Overdose
Tablet, capsule, oral solution: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor immediately if you suspect an overdose of this medicine.
Injection: Since this is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Clozapine
Atorvastatin
Etodolac
Ganciclovir
Fenofibrate
Disease interactions
Bone marrow suppression
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of bone marrow suppression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. You may require a dose adjustment and more frequent clinical monitoring to safely use this medicine. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Myopathy
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of myopathy due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any symptoms such as dark-colored urine, muscle pain, weakness, etc. to the doctor immediately. You may require a dose adjustment and more frequent clinical monitoring to safely use this medicine. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Renal Dysfunction
Zidovudine should be used with extreme caution in patients with renal diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Renal function should be assessed before initiating the treatment. Appropriate dose adjustments may be required based on the clinical condition.
Hepatotoxicity
Zidovudine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of liver disease and active liver disease due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Therapy may need to be discontinued if any signs or symptoms of hepatotoxicity or lactic acidosis occur.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Tablet, capsule, oral solution: Take Zidovudine exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. Ensure that proper hygiene measures are adopted. Complete the course of treatment to prevent the spread of the infection. Close monitoring of liver function and kidney function may be necessary while receiving this medicine based on the clinical condition.
Injection: The injection form of this medicine is usually administered in the clinical or hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by stopping the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying. This helps in reducing the chances of development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other HIV-related illnesses.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (nrtis)
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed: Zidovudine capsule [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
DrugBank Zidovudine: [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
Zidovudine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 15 Sep 2017
Disclaimer
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