Table of contents:
- What drug Zidovudine?
- What is zidovudine for?
- How to use zidovudine?
- How is zidovudine stored?
- Zidovudine dosage
- What is the dose of zidovudine for adults?
- What is the dose of zidovudine for children?
- In what dosage is zidovudine available?
- Zidovudine side effects
- What side effects can be experienced due to zidovudine?
- Zidovudine Drug Warnings and Cautions
- What should be known before using zidovudine?
- Is zidovudine safe for pregnant and lactating women?
- Zidovudine Drug Interactions
- What medicines may interact with zidovudine?
- Can food or alcohol interact with zidovudine?
- What health conditions can interact with zidovudine?
- Zidovudine overdose
- What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
What drug Zidovudine?
What is zidovudine for?
Zidovudine is a drug used with other HIV drugs to help control HIV. This medicine helps to reduce the amount of HIV in your body so that your immune system can work better. This will decrease your chances of developing HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improve your quality of life. Zidovudine belongs to a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors-NRTIs.
Zidovudine is used in pregnant women to prevent the transmission of the HIV virus to their unborn baby. This medicine is also used in newborns born to HIV-infected mothers to prevent infection in the newborn.
Zidovudine is not a drug to cure HIV. To reduce the risk of spreading HIV disease to others, do all of the following: (1) continue to take all HIV medicines exactly as prescribed by your doctor, (2) always use effective safety methods (latex or polyurethane condoms / dental dams) for as long as sexual activity, and (3) not sharing personal items (such as needles / syringes, toothbrushes, and razors) that may have been contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this product which are not listed on the label approved by an expert but may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Use this product for a condition that is listed in this section if only it has been prescribed by your healthcare professional.
This medicine may also be used in combination with other HIV drugs to reduce the risk of getting HIV infection after contact with the virus. Consult your doctor for more details.
How to use zidovudine?
Take this medication usually 2-3 times a day with or without food or as directed by your doctor. Use this medication by mouth with a full glass of water (8 ounces / 240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs you otherwise. If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a measuring device / spoon. Don't use a household spoon as you may not get the correct dose.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Pregnant women may need to use this medicine 5 times a day. Newborns are usually given the liquid form of this medicine every 6 hours for 6 weeks after delivery to prevent infection.
Use this medication 2 hours before or after using clarithromycin. Clarithromycin can prevent your body from fully absorbing zidovudine.
This drug works best when the amount of medicine in your body is at a constant level. Therefore, use this medication at regular intervals. To help you remember, use it at the same time every day.
It is important to continue to take this medicine (and other HIV medicines) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Don't miss any doses. Refill your medication before you run out.
Do not use more or less of this medicine than recommended or stop using it (or any other HIV medicines) for even a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing doses without a doctor's approval can cause the viral load to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (tolerate), or worsen side effects. Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How is zidovudine stored?
This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.
Zidovudine dosage
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.
What is the dose of zidovudine for adults?
Adult Dose for HIV Infection:
Oral: 300 mg orally every 12 hours or 200 mg orally every 8 hours
IV: 1 mg / kg IV (infused for 1 hour) every 4 hours around the clock, for a total daily dose of 5 to 6 mg / kg
Duration: Therapy should be continued as long as the patient tolerates, or until the patient switches to another antiretroviral agent.
Adult Dose for Perinatal Reduction of HIV Transmission:
Maternal dose: 100 mg orally 5 times a day until onset of labor However, most authorities would also consider a standard oral dose of 300 mg every 12 hours or 200 mg every 8 hours.
During labor and delivery: 2 mg / kg IV (infused for 1 hour) followed by continuous IV infusion of 1 mg / kg / hour to umbilical cord clamping.
Therapy should be started at 14-34 weeks of pregnancy. The neonate should also be treated for 6 weeks. Even with this use, transmission to the baby is still possible in some cases.
What is the dose of zidovudine for children?
Children's Dose for HIV Infection:
Oral:
Based on body weight:
4 to less than 9 kg: 12 mg / kg orally twice a day or 8 mg / kg orally 3 times a day
9 to less than 30 kg: 9 mg / kg orally twice a day or 6 mg / kg orally 3 times a day
30 kg or more: 300 mg orally twice a day or 200 mg orally 3 times a day
Based on body surface area: 240 mg / m2 (maximum: 300 mg / dose) orally twice a day or 160 mg / m2 (maximum: 200 mg / dose) orally 3 times a day
The dose calculated by body weight may not be the same as the dose calculated by body surface area in some cases.
Panel on Antiretroviral Therapy and Medical Management Recommendations for Children Infected with HIV:
preterm neonates (less than 35 weeks of gestation):
Oral: 2 mg / kg orally every 12 hours
IV: 1.5 mg / kg IV (infused for 30 minutes) every 12 hours
The dose frequency should be increased every 8 hours at 4 weeks of age, neonates less than 30 weeks of gestation at birth and at 2 weeks of neonates, 30 to less than 35 weeks of gestation at birth.
Full-term neonates and infants less than 6 weeks of age:
Oral: 2 mg / kg orally every 6 hours
IV: 1.5 mg / kg IV (infused for 30 minutes) every 6 hours
Oral:
Based on body weight:
4 to less than 9 kg: 12 mg / kg orally twice daily
9 for less than 30 kg: 9 mg / kg orally twice a day
30 kg or more: 300 mg orally twice a day
Based on body surface area: 180-240 mg / m2 orally every 12 hours or 160 mg / m2 orally every 8 hours
Children's Dose for Perinatal Reduction of HIV Transmission:
Neonates:
Oral: 2 mg / kg orally every 6 hours
IV: 1.5 mg / kg IV (infused for 30 minutes) every 6 hours
The neonatal dose should be started within 12 hours of birth and continued through 6 weeks of age. IV zidovudine can be given to neonates who cannot receive an oral dose.
Panel on Antiretroviral Therapy and Medical Management Recommendations for Children Infected with HIV:
Neonates (less than 35 weeks of gestation at birth):
Oral: 2 mg / kg orally every 12 hours
IV: 1.5 mg / kg IV (infused for 30 minutes) every 12 hours
The dose frequency should be increased every 8 hours at 4 weeks of age, neonates less than 30 weeks of gestation at birth and at 2 weeks of neonates, 30 to less than 35 weeks of gestation at birth.
Full-term neonates and infants less than 6 weeks of age:
Oral: 2 mg / kg orally every 6 hours
IV: 1.5 mg / kg IV (infused for 30 minutes) every 6 hours
Zidovudine should be started immediately after birth, preferably within 6 to 12 hours of birth, and should continue until 6 weeks of age. IV zidovudine can be given to neonates who cannot tolerate oral medications.
In addition to 6 weeks of zidovudine therapy, 3 doses of nevirapine can be given in the first week of life for infants born to HIV-infected mothers who have not received antepartum antiretroviral therapy. Neonatal methods (oral zidovudine plus nevirapine) should be started as soon as possible after birth.
In what dosage is zidovudine available?
300 mg tablet
100 mg capsule
Syrup 10 mg / mL
Injection 10 mg / mL
Zidovudine side effects
What side effects can be experienced due to zidovudine?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
This drug can cause lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in the body, which can be fatal). Lactic acidosis can start slowly and get worse over time. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as: muscle pain or weakness, numbness or coldness in your arms and legs, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast heartbeat or an uneven heartbeat, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.
Stop taking zidovudine and call your doctor if you have any of the other serious side effects:
- severe muscle pain
- signs of a new infection such as fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in the mouth and throat
- pale skin, feeling dizzy, fast heart rate, difficulty concentrating
- easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red spots under your skin;
- increased sweating, tremors in your hands, anxiety, feelings of irritability, sleep problems (insomnia);
- diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, menstrual changes, impotence, loss of interest in sex
- swelling in the neck or throat (goiter)
- problems with walking, breathing, speaking, swallowing, or eye movements
- weakness or a prickly feeling in your fingers or toes
- severe low back pain, loss of bladder or bowel control
- liver problems - upper stomach pain, hives, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- pancreatitis - severe pain in the upper abdomen spreading to the back, nausea and vomiting, fast heartbeat or
- severe skin reactions - fever, sore throat, swelling of the face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially on the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Less serious side effects may include:
- sleep problems (insomnia)
- mild nausea, constipation
- joint pain
- headache or
- changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in the arms, legs, face, neck, chest, and trunk).
Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Zidovudine Drug Warnings and Cautions
What should be known before using zidovudine?
In deciding to use a drug, the risks of using the drug must be weighed against its benefits. It is up to you and your doctor. For this drug, the following should be considered:
Allergy
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to sodium thiosulfate or other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package of ingredients carefully.
Children
The precise studies carried out to date have not demonstrated a specific problem in children that would limit the usefulness of zidovudine injections in children.
Elderly
Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of zidovudine injections have not been carried out in the elderly population, no specific problems have been documented to date. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems that may require caution and an adjustment in the dose in patients receiving zidovudine injections.
Is zidovudine safe for pregnant and lactating women?
There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:
- A = No risk,
- B = not at risk in several studies,
- C = May be risky,
- D = There is positive evidence of risk,
- X = Contraindicated,
- N = Unknown
Zidovudine Drug Interactions
What medicines may interact with zidovudine?
Although certain drugs should not be used simultaneously, in other cases two different drugs can be used together even if interactions are possible. In this case, your doctor may want to change the dose, or take other precautions that may be needed. Tell your health care professional if you are taking prescription drugs or other drugs on the market.
Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this drug or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Amifampridine
Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or change how often you use one or both drugs.
- Clarithromycin
- Dapsone
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Flucytosine
- Ganciclovir
- Interferon Alfa
- Pyrazinamide
- Pyrimethamine
- Ribavirin
- Stavudine
- Teriflunomide
- Vinblastine
- Vincristine
- Vincristine Sulfate Liposome
Using this medication with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or change how often you use one or both drugs.
- Acetaminophen
- Fluconazole
- Interferon Beta-1a
- Methadone
- Nelfinavir
- Probenecid
- Rifabutin
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
- Tipranavir
- Valproic Acid
Can food or alcohol interact with zidovudine?
Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.
What health conditions can interact with zidovudine?
The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:
- blood problems (for example, anemia, neutropenia, or pancytopenia)
- bone marrow problems
- muscle disorders - use with caution. It might make things worse
- Kidney illness
- liver disease - side effects may increase due to slow clearance of medications from the body.
Zidovudine overdose
What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
