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This drug is used in combination with other medications to help control your HIV infection, thereby improving your quality of life. It also lowers your risk of getting HIV disease complications (e.g., new infections, cancers). Zidovudine is also used to help prevent an HIV-positive pregnant mother from passing HIV to her unborn infant. Zidovudine belongs to a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.Zidovudine is not a cure for HIV infection, and it does not prevent the spread of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination (e.g., sharing used needles).This medication may also be used to prevent HIV infection after contact with the virus.
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| Overview | Photos | How
To Use | Side
Effects | Precautions | Missed
Dose | Drug
Interactions | |
Zidovudine
Uses
This drug is used in combination with other medications to help control your HIV infection, thereby improving your quality of life. It also lowers your risk of getting HIV disease complications (e.g., new infections, cancers). Zidovudine is also used to help prevent an HIV-positive pregnant mother from passing HIV to her unborn infant. Zidovudine belongs to a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.Zidovudine is not a cure for HIV infection, and it does not prevent the spread of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination (e.g., sharing used needles).This medication may also be used to prevent HIV infection after contact with the virus.
Notes
- To reduce the risk of spreading HIV to others, always use effective barrier protections (e.g., latex or polyurethane condoms, dental dams) during all sexual activity.
- Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.Do not share this medication with others.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood counts, kidney tests, liver tests, viral load, T-cell counts, nerve tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
- Consult your doctor for more details.Keep all medical and laboratory appointments.
Storage
- Store unused vials at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light.
- After mixing, this medication should be given within 8 hours if stored at room temperature and 24 hours if refrigerated at 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C).
- Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Overdose
- Symptoms of overdose may include tiredness, headache, nausea, vomiting.
How
To Use - This medication is given only in the hospital by a healthcare professional.
- It is given slowly into a vein by injection or an IV, usually 5-6 times daily or as directed by your doctor.Dosage is based on your weight, liver function, kidney function, medical condition, and response to therapy.Follow all instructions for proper mixing and dilution with the correct IV fluids.
- If you have questions regarding the use of this medication, consult your pharmacist.Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration.
- If either is present, do not use the liquid.Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely.
- It is very important to continue using this medication (and other anti-HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor.This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level.
- Therefore, use this drug at evenly spaced intervals.
- To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day.Do not use more or less of this drug than prescribed, or stop using it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor.
- Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.
Side
Effects - See also Warnings section.Itching/burning at the injection site, headache, tiredness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, dizziness, or constipation may occur.
- If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
- Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (depression, anxiety, slowed thinking), tingling/numbness of hands or feet, changes in taste, vision changes, shakiness, skin/fingernail color changes.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: stomach/back pain with or without nausea/vomiting, fainting, hearing loss.Changes in body fat may occur while you are using this medication (e.g., increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas, decreased fat in the arms and legs).
- The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown.
- Discuss the risks and benefits of therapy with your doctor, as well as the possible role of exercise to reduce this side effect.If you are using HIV medications for the first time, you may experience symptoms of an old infection.
- This may happen as your immune system begins to work better.
- Symptoms may include: new cough, trouble breathing, fever, new vision problems, new headaches, new skin problems.Contact your doctor immediately.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
- Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Before using zidovudine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: pancreatitis with other HIV medicines, kidney problems, liver problems (e.g., hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis), alcohol use, muscle wasting, low red/white blood cells.This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
- Limit alcoholic beverages.Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the increased risk of pancreatitis.Kidney function declines as you grow older.
- This medication is removed by the kidneys.
- Therefore, caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially pancreatitis and blood problems.This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
- However, HIV medicines are now usually given to pregnant women with HIV.
- This has been shown to decrease the risk of HIV transmission to the baby.
- Zidovudine may be part of that treatment.
- Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.This medication passes into breast milk.
- Because breast milk can transmit HIV, do not breast-feed.
Missed
Dose - It is very important to use this medication exactly as prescribed.
- If a dose is missed, consult your doctor immediately.
Drug
Interactions - Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it.
- Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: stavudine, ribavirin.If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting zidovudine.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: phenytoin, interferon, drugs that may suppress bone marrow function (e.g., ganciclovir, trimethoprim, pyrimethamine, doxorubicin, dapsone, flucytosine, pentamidine), cidofovir with probenecid, amphotericin B.
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CONDITIONS
OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information
is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions
or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular
drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional
should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or
discontinuing any course of treatment. |
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