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Retrovir

Retrovir

Zidovudine belongs to the class of antiretroviral medications called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). It is used either alone or in combination with other medications to treat the infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Available form

Dosage

Injectable

10MG/ML

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Retrovir information

Dosage

Side Effects

Available Form

Contraindications

Precautions

Warnings

The recommended adult dose of zidovudine for people weighing 30 kilograms or more is 600 mg taken by mouth daily. It may be taken as either 300 mg every 12 hours or 200 mg every eight hours in capsule, tablet, or syrup form.

For children and individuals weighing between 4 kilograms and 30 kilograms, the dosage is based on body weight or size. The recommended dose for children weighing between 4 kilograms and 9 kilograms is calculated as 24 mg per kilogram of body weight daily; the dose for children between 9 kg and 30 kg is 18 mg per kilogram of body weight daily. The recommended dose of zidovudine when calculated by body size is 480 mg per square metre (m²) of body surface area daily (to a maximum of 600 mg per day) as calculated by the doctor. Either calculation may be used, however the dose may not be the same. The total daily dose is usually divided up into two doses every 12 hours or three doses every eight hours.

If it is not possible to take zidovudine by mouth, the injectable form may be used. The recommended intravenous (given into a vein) dose for adults is 1 to 2 mg per kilogram of body weight every 4 hours around the clock. For children, the intravenous dose is 120 mg per square metre (m²) of body surface area (to a maximum of 160 mg per dose), given every 6 hours.

For prevention of transmission of HIV infection to babies by pregnant women, 100 mg is taken by mouth 5 times daily starting 14 weeks into the pregnancy. During labour and delivery, zidovudine is given intravenously by the hospital until the baby is born. The child is then given a dose of zidovudine based on body weight every 6 hours until 6 weeks of age.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Use an oral syringe to measure each dose of the liquid, as it gives a more accurate measurement than household teaspoons.

It is important to take Retrovir exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The effectiveness of the medication depends on having the right amount of zidovudine in the bloodstream. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Retrovir at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Retrovir. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Retrovir with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Retrovir. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

breast enlargement (men)
changed sense of taste
changes in fingernail or toenail colour
changes in skin colour
cough
difficulty concentrating
dizziness
Fever
headache (severe)
heartburn
loss of appetite
nausea
muscle aches
sleepiness
trouble sleeping
vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

abdominal pain
increased fat on the upper back, neck, breasts, and around the trunk and loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face
numbness or tingling feeling
signs of Anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness)
signs of bleeding (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don't stop bleeding)
signs of Depression (e.g., changes in sleep, changes in weight, decreased interest in activities, poor concentration, thoughts of suicide)
signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, or sore throat)
signs of liver problems (e.g., dark urine, Diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, pale stools, vomiting, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
skin rash

Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

convulsions (seizures)
signs of lactic acidosis (e.g., abdominal pain, dizziness, increased breathing rate, nausea, rapid heart rate, unusual tiredness, vomiting)
signs of pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, chills, fever, nausea, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen)
signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, swelling of the face and throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Retrovir.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Retrovir.

Fat redistribution: Over time, Retrovir may change how fat is distributed in your body and may change your body shape. You may notice increased fat in the upper back and neck, breast, around the back, chest, and stomach area; or loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face. The long-term effects of this are not known.

Immune reconstitution syndrome: Retrovir may cause immune reconstitution syndrome, where signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections appear. These symptoms occur soon after starting anti-HIV medication and can vary. They are thought to occur as a result of the immune system improving and being able to fight infections that have been present without symptoms (such as pneumonia, herpes, or Tuberculosis). Report any new symptoms to your doctor as soon as possible.

Kidney function: If you have reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how Retrovir may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Retrovir, and whether any special monitoring is needed. People with severely reduced kidney function should not take Retrovir.

Lactic acidosis and enlarged fatty liver: Zidovudine can cause a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis (build-up of lactic acid in the blood) together with an enlarged liver. This tends to occur more often in women, especially if they are overweight. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

abdominal pain, swelling, or bloating
diarrhea
fatigue
feeling unwell
nausea
shortness of breath
vomiting
weakness
weight loss

Your doctor will monitor your liver function periodically by ordering laboratory tests.

Liver function: Zidovudine is broken down by the liver so it can be removed from the body through the kidneys. Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause a build-up of zidovudine in the body and cause side effects. If you have liver disease or decreased liver function, discuss with your doctor how Retrovir may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Retrovir, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of liver problems (e.g., abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, feeling unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine), contact your doctor immediately.

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): Zidovudine may cause or worsen pancreatitis. If you have a history of or are at risk for developing pancreatitis, discuss with your doctor how Retrovir may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Retrovir, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you develop signs of pancreatitis (e.g., upper left abdominal pain, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen), contact your doctor.

Red blood cells: Pure red cell aplasia is a rare bone marrow disorder characterized by a reduction in red blood cells produced by the bone marrow. Symptoms include pallor, weakness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and decreased blood pressure. If you experience any of these symptoms contact your doctor immediately.

Zidovudine may also cause low levels of red blood cells without causing red cell aplasia. This usually happens after Retrovir has been taken for more than 4 to 6 weeks. Your doctor should order regular blood tests to monitor for changes in the numbers of blood cells during treatment. If you experience symptoms of reduced red blood cell count (anemia) such as shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired or pale skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Reduced white blood cells: Zidovudine can cause low levels of white blood cells. This usually happens after Retrovir has been taken for more than 4 to 6 weeks. Your doctor should order regular blood tests to monitor for changes in the numbers of blood cells during treatment. If you experience symptoms of an infection (e.g., fever, sore throat) contact your doctor immediately.

If you have low levels white blood cells, your doctor may consider a different combination of medications to treat your condition.

Stopping the medication: If you stop taking Retrovir, your HIV infection could get worse. Take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor and do not stop taking the medication without checking with your doctor first.

Pregnancy: The use of zidovudine after the first 14 weeks of pregnancy does not appear to increase the risk of birth defects. Zidovudine is used by pregnant women with HIV infection to prevent transmission of the virus to the unborn child.

Breast-feeding: Zidovudine passes into breast milk. Women who have HIV infection are cautioned against breast-feeding because of the risk of passing HIV to a baby who does not have the infection.

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