Zidovudine (By mouth)
zye-DOE-vue-deen
Treats HIV infection. This medicine does not cure HIV or AIDS, but combinations of drugs may slow progress of the disease.
Drug classes
Antiretroviral Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Zidovudine (also known as AZT) is used in combination with other anti-virus medicines for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Zidovudine is used to slow the progression of disease in patients infected with HIV who have advanced symptoms, early symptoms, or no symptoms at all. This medicine also is used to help prevent pregnant women who have HIV from passing the virus to their babies during pregnancy and at birth.
Zidovudine will not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS. It helps keep HIV from reproducing and appears to slow down the destruction of the immune system. This may help delay the development of problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease. Zidovudine will not keep you from spreading HIV to other people. People who receive this medicine may continue to have the problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, zidovudine is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection due to occupational exposure (possible prevention of).
T-cell leukemia (cancer of the blood) or lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system) in adult patients, in combination with interferon alfa.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Capsule, Tablet, Liquid
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup.
Zidovudine is taken with other medicines to treat HIV infection. Take all other medicines your doctor has prescribed as part of your combination treatment.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store this medicine at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze the oral liquid.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using dapsone, fluconazole (Diflucan®), flucytosine (Ancobon®), ganciclovir (Cytovene®), interferon alfa (Intron®), pyrazinamide, ribavirin (Rebetron®), valproic acid (Depakene®), or any medicine to treat cancer.
Tell your doctor about all other HIV medicines you are using, especially stavudine (Zerit®).
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to zidovudine.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, anemia, pancreas problems, or a muscle disorder.
Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to your partner during sex. Make sure you understand and practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles with anyone.
Do not breastfeed if you have HIV or AIDS. The infection may be given to your baby through your breast milk.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Extreme weakness, tiredness, or confusion
Fever, chills, sore throat
Lightheadedness or fainting
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
Rapid breathing or trouble breathing, nausea and vomiting
Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, lightheadedness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Mild stomach pain
Muscle or joint pain
Nausea, vomiting
Trouble sleeping
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Retrovir
There may be other brand names for this medicine.