Medications and Drugs
GENERIC NAME: ZIDOVUDINE (AZT) - ORAL (zye-DOE-view-deen)
BRAND NAME(S): Retrovir
Warning | Medication Uses | Other Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert
WARNING: Rarely, this medication has caused severe, sometimes fatal, liver and blood problems (e.g., lactic acidosis, granulocytopenia, anemia), especially in people with advanced HIV infection. Prolonged use of zidovudine has caused muscle aches similar to those produced by HIV. Notify your doctor immediately if you have: dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal or stomach pain, unusual fatigue, muscle aches, rapid breathing, drowsiness, symptoms of infection such as persistent fever or sore throat.
USES: Zidovudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor antiviral agent used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It works by slowing the growth of the virus. It is not a cure for HIV and does not prevent the passing of HIV to others. This medication is also used in pregnant women to prevent spreading the virus to the fetus. One group of HIV medications (the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors-NRTIs such as zidovudine and lamivudine) are very useful. However, NRTIs are recommended to be used in combination with other groups of HIV medications in order to be effective. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
OTHER USES: This medication may also be used to prevent HIV after coming in contact with the virus.
HOW TO USE: Take this medicine exactly as your doctor prescribed. If this medicine is prescribed every 4 hours, it is important to take it around the clock, even though it might disrupt your sleep. Frequently it is prescribed less often than every 4 hours and in combination with other anti-HIV drugs.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Drug Interactions - Learn about potential drug interactions you may be exposed to. Drug interactions can occur with prescription drugs, OTC medication, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus - Read about HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) causes, symptoms, signs, treatment, prevention, transmission, facts, testing, research (vaccine), statistics and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
- Drugs: What You Should Know About Your Drugs - Find out what you should know about your drugs such as side effects, warnings and precautions, storage information, and if a generic version is as good as the brand name.
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