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Overview: Zidovudine is a medicine used to treat HIV and to help prevent passing HIV from a mother to her baby during pregnancy and childbirth. It helps prevent HIV from spreading in the body. Common side effects include headaches, nausea or vomiting, weight loss, and a general feeling of being unwell, tired, or not having your usual energy. Serious side effects may include blood disorders, muscle problems, liver damage, loss of fat in certain parts of your body, and severe skin reactions. It is important to keep all appointments for bloodwork while you are taking this medicine. The oral capsule, liquid, or tablet can be taken at home, but the shot is usually given by a health care provider.

Uses

What is zidovudine used for?

Zidovudine is a medicine used to treat HIV when combined with other HIV medicines. It can also help prevent passing HIV from a mother to her baby during pregnancy and childbirth.

Zidovudine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does zidovudine work (mechanism of action)?

Zidovudine helps stop HIV from making copies of itself by preventing it from building its DNA. This helps prevent HIV from spreading in the body.

How is zidovudine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Retrovir

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 100 mg oral capsules
  • 300 mg oral tablets
  • 10 mg/mL oral solution

Zidovudine is also available in injectable forms.

How should I store zidovudine?

Oral Tablet. Zidovudine oral tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when you’re transporting it. Store it in a cool, dry place.

Oral Capsule and Oral Liquid. Zidovudine oral capsules and oral liquid should be stored between 59 F and 77 F (15 C and 25 C). Store it in a cool, dry place.

Injection Liquid. Zidovudine injection is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of zidovudine?

The most common side effects of zidovudine are listed below. These side effects may vary, based on your age. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • General feeling of being unwell, tired, or not having your usual energy
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Weight loss or loss of appetite
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Blood disorders (see below)

There may be other side effects of zidovudine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of zidovudine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of zidovudine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Zidovudine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking zidovudine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown, depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Blood Disorders. Zidovudine can cause blood disorders, such as aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, and low white blood cell levels. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.

  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Frequent infection
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Headache
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat

Low Neutrophil Levels (Neutropenia). Zidovudine may cause low levels of a type of white blood cell (called neutrophils), which is known as neutropenia. Neutrophils help prevent infection. Having a low level of neutrophils may increase your risk of infection. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low neutrophil levels.

  • Fever, chills, or sweats
  • Tiredness
  • Sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath
  • Mouth or throat sores
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Muscle Problems. Zidovudine can cause muscle problems, including muscle pain, weakness, and tenderness called myopathy. In some people, the muscle may break down (rhabdomyolysis), which can be serious and rarely lead to kidney damage and death. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.

  • Unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness
  • Low energy levels or feeling easily tired, especially with activity
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Fever
  • Muscle cramps
  • Stomach pain
  • Nausea or vomiting

Lactic Acidosis. Zidovudine may cause lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in your blood), which can be serious. Stop taking zidovudine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of lactic acidosis.

  • General ill feeling
  • Muscle pain
  • Trouble breathing
  • Drowsiness
  • Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking zidovudine. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Immune System Changes. When you start zidovudine, your immune system might get stronger and start fighting infections that have been hiding inside your body for a long time. The type of symptoms you may have will depend on the infection. Tell your health care provider right away if you notice any of the following new symptoms of an infection.

  • Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Vision problems
  • Confusion, problems talking, or headaches
  • Skin problems, such as a painful rash or warts
  • A cough, or coughing up blood
  • Weakness or coordination problems

Fat Redistribution. Some people taking zidovudine have changes in how their body stores fat. You may lose fat in your arms, legs, face, or butt. You may get more fat around the belly, breasts, or upper back (buffalo hump). Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of these symptoms.

Severe Skin Reactions. Zidovudine may cause severe skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), that can lead to death if not treated. If you get a rash, call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

  • Painful skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat rash, sores, or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use zidovudine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use zidovudine.

  • Retrovir
  • Zidovudine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific zidovudine products they stock.

What should I know about zidovudine before using it?

Do not use zidovudine unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share zidovudine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep zidovudine out of the reach of children.

If you are taking zidovudine oral liquid, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

Zidovudine might affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other things that require alertness or coordination until you know how zidovudine affects you.

It is important to keep all appointments, including for bloodwork. This helps your health care provider make sure it is safe for you to take zidovudine.

What should I tell my health care provider before using zidovudine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if zidovudine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Hepatitis C. Tell your health care provider if you have hepatitis C. Zidovudine should not be used with certain medicines that are used to treat hepatitis C.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Zidovudine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using zidovudine, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use zidovudine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you become pregnant while using zidovudine, you can register for the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry by calling 800-258-4263 or at www.apregistry.com. This registry collects safety information about the use of HIV medicines during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. Zidovudine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. There may be risks with breastfeeding while using zidovudine and having HIV.

Interactions

Does zidovudine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between zidovudine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect zidovudine, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infections.

Does zidovudine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. 

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using zidovudine. 

  • Doxorubicin, which is a medicine used to treat cancer
  • A medicine to treat hepatitis C, such as interferon or ribavirin
  • Ganciclovir, which is an antiviral medicine used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV)

This is not a complete list of medicines that can interact with zidovudine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much zidovudine?

If you or someone else has used too much zidovudine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of zidovudine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Missing doses of zidovudine can cause it to not work as well over time. So it is important not to miss or skip doses.