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Zidovudine (Oral)
Generic name: zidovudine
Brand names: Retrovir
Uses for zidovudine
Zidovudine (likewise known as AZT) is utilized along with various other medicines for the therapy of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV is the infection that causes obtained immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Zidovudine is made use of to slow down the progression of disease in clients infected with HIV that have actually progressed signs, early signs, or no symptoms in any way. This medicine is additionally utilized to help prevent pregnant women who have HIV from passing the virus to their children during pregnancy and at birth.
Zidovudine will not heal or prevent HIV infection or AIDS, nonetheless, it aids maintain HIV from recreating and appears to reduce the devastation of the immune system. This may aid postpone the growth of problems that normally arise from AIDS or HIV disease. Zidovudine will not maintain you from spreading out HIV to other people. Individuals who obtain this medication might remain to have the problems usually connected to AIDS or HIV disease.
This medication is available only with your physician's prescription.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Precautions while using zidovudine
It is extremely important that your doctor examine your or your youngster's development at routine brows through to make certain that this medication is functioning correctly. Blood tests may be required to look for undesirable impacts.
Zidovudine might trigger blood troubles. These troubles might cause a better chance of certain infections and slow healing. Therefore, you need to take care when making use of routine toothbrushes, floss, and toothpicks not to harm your or your kid's gums. Consult your or your youngster's clinical physician or dentist if you have any concerns regarding proper dental health (mouth treatment) throughout treatment with this medicine.
Get in touch with your doctor if you or your child has muscle discomfort, tenderness, squandering, or uncommon tiredness or weakness while you are utilizing this medicine.
Zidovudine might create blood and bone marrow troubles. Symptoms of bone marrow issues consist of high temperature, cools, sore throat pale skin, or unusual fatigue or weak point. These troubles might require blood transfusions or briefly stopping therapy with zidovudine. Consult your or your child's medical professional if any type of new illness or signs take place while you or your youngster are taking zidovudine.
2 rare yet serious responses to this medicine are lactic acidosis (way too much acid in the blood) and liver toxicity, that includes an enlarged liver. These are extra usual if you are female, extremely obese (overweight), or have been taking anti-HIV medicines for a long period of time. Call your physician today if you or your youngster have greater than among these signs: abdominal pain or cramping, dark pee, reduced cravings, looseness of the bowels, basic feeling of discomfort, light stools, muscle cramping or pain, nausea, uncommon exhaustion or weakness, problem breathing, throwing up, or yellow eyes or skin.
Your body immune system might get stronger when you start taking HIV medicines. Tell your doctor today if you or your youngster notifications any type of changes in your health and wellness. In some cases the body immune system will certainly start to fight infections that were concealed in your body, such as pneumonia or consumption. Autoimmune disorders (eg, Graves' condition, polymyositis, or Guillain-Barré syndrome) may likewise take place.
This medicine may lower or shed body fat, specifically in your face, arms, legs, or butts, when this medicine is utilized for a long time. Speak with your medical professional if you have issues.
Do not take various other medications unless they have actually been talked about with your medical professional. This includes prescription or nonprescription (non-prescription [OTC] medicines and organic or vitamin supplements.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Before using zidovudine
In determining to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medication needs to be considered versus the great it will certainly do. This is a choice you and your doctor will certainly make. For this medicine, the adhering to ought to be thought about:
Allergies
Inform your physician if you have ever before had any uncommon or allergy to this medicine or any type of various other medicines. Also tell your healthcare specialist if you have any kind of other sorts of allergic reactions, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or pets. For non-prescription products, read the tag or plan active ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Proper research studies done to date have not shown pediatric-specific problems that would certainly restrict the effectiveness of zidovudine in children.
Geriatric
Appropriate research studies executed to day have actually not shown geriatric-specific problems that would certainly limit the effectiveness of zidovudine in the senior. Nonetheless, elderly individuals are more probable to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart issues which might need caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients obtaining zidovudine.
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate researches in females for figuring out baby risk when using this medicine throughout breastfeeding. Evaluate the potential benefits versus the prospective threats prior to taking this medicine while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although specific medicines must not be used together at all, in other cases two various medicines may be utilized together even if an interaction could happen. In these instances, your physician might intend to change the dose, or other safety measures may be needed. When you are taking this medicine, it is particularly vital that your health care expert recognize if you are taking any of the medications listed below. The adhering to interactions have been picked on the basis of their potential relevance and are not necessarily all-encompassing.
Using this medication with any one of the following medications is normally not advised, yet might be required in many cases. If both medications are recommended with each other, your physician might alter the dosage or exactly how typically you make use of one or both of the medications.
- Bupropion
- Cabotegravir
- Clarithromycin
- Dapsone
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Fluconazole
- Flucytosine
- Horsetail
- Levoketoconazole
- Methotrexate
- Orlistat
- Pexidartinib
- Pyrazinamide
- Pyrimethamine
- Ribavirin
- Stavudine
- Tacrolimus
- Valproic Acid
- Vinblastine
- Vincristine
- Vincristine Sulfate Liposome
Using this medication with any one of the adhering to medicines might cause an enhanced risk of certain side effects, but making use of both drugs might be the very best therapy for you. If both medicines are suggested with each other, your doctor may alter the dose or just how usually you use one or both of the medications.
- Acetaminophen
- Interferon Beta-1a
- Methadone
- Nelfinavir
- Probenecid
- Rifabutin
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
- Semaglutide
- Tipranavir
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Specific medicines ought to not be made use of at or around the moment of consuming food or consuming particular types of food since interactions might occur. Making use of alcohol or cigarette with specific medications might likewise cause interactions to occur. Review with your healthcare specialist using your medication with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The existence of various other medical troubles might affect making use of this medicine. Ensure you tell your medical professional if you have any type of other medical troubles, especially:
- Blood or bone marrow troubles (eg, anemia, neutropenia) or
- Muscle issues or
- Obesity (obese)-- Use with care. May make these conditions worse.
- Kidney illness, serious or
- Liver disease (including hepatitis)-- Use with caution. The results may be enhanced because of slower removal of the medication from the body.
- Low amounts of folic acid or vitamin B12 in the blood-- Zidovudine may worsen anemia triggered by a decline of folic acid or vitamin B12.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Side Effects of zidovudine
Along with its necessary impacts, a medication may trigger some undesirable impacts. Although not every one of these side effects may take place, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Contact your doctor promptly if any of the adhering to side effects take place:
Much more typical
- Black, tarry stools
- cools
- coughing
- sensation of fullness
- high temperature
- reduced back or side discomfort
- agonizing or challenging peeing
- light skin
- right upper abdominal pain and volume
- aching throat
- stomach pain
- swelling or swelling of the mouth
- inflamed lymph nodes
- abscess, sores, or white spots in the mouth
- uncommon bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weak point
Uncommon
- Confusion
- looseness of the bowels
- quick, superficial breathing
- general feeling of pain
- loss of appetite
- state of mind or mental changes
- muscular tissue discomfort, tenderness, weak point, or cramping
- queasiness
- seizures
- sleepiness
- tummy pain
Occurrence not recognized
- Back or leg pain
- bleeding gum tissues
- blistering, peeling off, or loosening of the skin
- bloating
- blood in the pee
- blurred vision or various other adjustment in vision
- bone pain
- burning, creeping, itching, tingling, tingling, "pins and needles", or tingling sensations
- clay-colored stools
- bowel irregularity
- dark pee
- reduced hunger
- decreased pee output
- difficult or labored breathing
- difficulty in moving
- difficulty in swallowing
- expanded neck blood vessels
- lightheadedness
- extreme exhaustion or weakness
- fainting
- fast, uneven, or pounding heart beat
- general body swelling
- basic exhaustion and weakness
- migraine
- high fever
- hives, skin breakout
- hoarseness
- enhanced demand to urinate
- indigestion
- uneven breathing
- inflammation or soreness of the mouth
- joint or muscular tissue pain
- absence of control
- big, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genital areas
- light-colored feceses
- muscle discomfort, ache, convulsion, or rigidity
- nosebleeds
- pains in the belly, side, or abdomen, perhaps emitting to the back
- passing urine more frequently
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- red skin lesions, often with a purple facility
- red, inflamed eyes
- inflammation, soreness, or itching skin
- runny nose
- restlessness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- shivering
- sores, welts, or blisters
- stabbing discomfort
- sweating
- inflamed joints
- puffy or unpleasant glands
- tightness in the breast
- problem sleeping
- unexplained bleeding or bruising
- undesirable breath odor
- vomiting
- throwing up of blood
- weight gain
- yellow eyes or skin
Some adverse effects might happen that generally do not need medical interest. These negative effects may go away during therapy as your body gets used to the medicine. Likewise, your health care specialist might be able to tell you regarding methods to stop or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any one of the complying with side effects continue or are troublesome or if you have any kind of concerns concerning them:
More typical
- Difficulty having a defecation
- headache (extreme).
- lack or loss of stamina.
- muscular tissue discomfort.
- weight loss.
Much less typical.
- Bluish-brown tinted bands on nails.
- changes in skin color.
Occurrence not known.
- Belching.
- heartburn.
- stomach aches.
Opposite side results not listed might also happen in some clients. If you observe any kind of other effects, contact your health care professional.
Call your physician for clinical recommendations about negative effects. You may report adverse effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In the U.S.
- Retrovir.
Offered Dosage Forms:.
- Tablet.
- Capsule.
- Syrup.
Restorative Class: Antiretroviral Agent.
Pharmacologic Class: Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Proper use of zidovudine
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Also, do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor first. When your supply of this medicine is running low, contact your doctor or pharmacist ahead of time. Do not allow yourself to run out of this medicine.
This medicine comes with a patient information sheet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Keep using zidovudine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better. It is also important to take this medicine together with other medicines for HIV. Be sure to take all of the medicines your doctor ordered, and to take them at the right times. Only take medicine that your doctor has prescribed specifically for you. Do not share your medicine with other people.
For patients using zidovudine oral solution or syrup:
- Shake it before use. Use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.
This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. If you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, talk with your doctor.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For HIV infection:For oral dosage forms (capsules, solution, syrup, and tablets): Adults—300 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day in combination with other anti-HIV medicines. Children and infants 4 weeks of age and older—Dose is based on body weight or body size and must be determined by your child's doctor. Weighs 30 kilograms (kg) or more—600 milligrams (mg) per day or 480 milligrams per square meter of body surface area (mg/m²) a day in divided doses. Weighs 9 kg to less than 30 kg—18 mg per kg per day in divided doses. Weighs 4 kg to less than 9 kg—24 mg per kg per day in divided doses..
- To help prevent pregnant women from passing HIV to their babies during pregnancy and at birth: For oral dosage form (capsules, syrup): Pregnant women (after 14 weeks of pregnancy, up to the start of labor)—100 milligrams (mg) 5 times a day until the start of labor. Newborn infants—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 2 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight every 6 hours starting 12 hours after birth and continuing through 6 weeks of age. For oral dosage form (solution): Pregnant women (after 14 weeks of pregnancy, up to the start of labor)—100 milligrams (mg) 5 times a day, 200 mg every 8 hours, or 300 mg every 12 hours until the start of labor. Newborn infants—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 2 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) (0.9 mg per pound) of body weight every 6 hours starting within 8 to 12 hours of birth and continuing through 6 weeks of age.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Do not freeze the oral liquid.
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