zidovudine (oral)

Zidovudine may cause lactic acidosis (the build up of lactic acid in the body). Lactic acidosis symptoms can start slowly and gradually get worse. Symptoms include unusual muscle pain and weakness, trouble breathing, fast or uneven heart rate, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and numbness or cold feeling in your arms or legs. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms, even if they are only mild. Early signs of lactic acidosis generally get worse over time and this condition can be fatal.

Zidovudine can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms while taking zidovudine: nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach pain, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Do not use zidovudine together with other combination drugs that contain zidovudine, such as Combivir or Trizivir.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Taking zidovudine will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people through unprotected sex or sharing of needles. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Zidovudine is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

Zidovudine is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Zidovudine is also given during pregnancy to prevent an HIV-infected woman from passing the virus to her baby. Zidovudine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

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

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to zidovudine, or if you are using any other drugs that contain zidovudine, such as Combivir or Trizivir.

Before taking zidovudine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease; or
• bone marrow suppression.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use zidovudine or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Zidovudine may cause lactic acidosis (the build up of lactic acid in the body). Lactic acidosis symptoms can start slowly and gradually get worse. Symptoms include unusual muscle pain and weakness, trouble breathing, fast or uneven heart rate, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and numbness or cold feeling in your arms or legs. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms, even if they are only mild. Early signs of lactic acidosis generally get worse over time and this condition can be fatal.

Zidovudine can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms while taking zidovudine: nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach pain, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. HIV can be passed to the baby if the mother is not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection while you are pregnant.

Your name may need to be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry when you start using zidovudine. The purpose of this registry is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and delivery to evaluate whether zidovudine had any effect on the baby.

You should not breast-feed while you are using zidovudine. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus to the baby in your breast milk.

Take zidovudine exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not use more of the medication than recommended. Do not take zidovudine for longer than your doctor has prescribed. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take zidovudine with a full glass of water.

To be sure you get the correct dose of zidovudine syrup, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine 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 use zidovudine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store zidovudine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a zidovudine overdose may include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, headache, or weakness.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking zidovudine. Alcohol may increase the risk of damage to the liver.

Taking zidovudine will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people through unprotected sex or sharing of needles. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Stop using this medication and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:

• liver damage - nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• lactic acidosis - muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, nausea with vomiting, and fast or uneven heart rate;
• pancreatitis - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
• peripheral neuropathy - numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, pale skin;
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• any other signs of new infection.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;
• mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation;
• muscle or joint pain;
• headache, tired feeling;
• skin rash; or
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, 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.

Before taking zidovudine, tell your doctor if you are also using:

• atovaquone (Mepron);
• doxorubicin (Adriamycin);
• fluconazole (Diflucan);
• ganciclovir (Cytovene);
• interferon-alfa (Roferon, Intron, Rebetron);
• methadone (Dolophine, Methadose);
• nelfinavir (Viracept);
• phenytoin (Dilantin);
• probenecid (Benemid);
• ribavirin (Rebetol, Ribasphere, Copegus Virazole);
• ritonavir (Norvir); or
• stavudine (Zerit).

There may be other drugs that can affect zidovudine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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

Zidovudine is available with a prescription under the brand name Retrovir. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Retrovir 100 mg--white capsules with a blue band
• Retrovir 300 mg--tablets
• Retrovir Syrup 50 mg per 5 mL (1 teaspoon)--colorless to pale-yellow, strawberry-flavored syrup