Details

Zidovudine is an antiviral medicine that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body. Zidovudine is used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause 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. To make sure zidovudine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease muscle problems bone marrow suppression a history of bleeding or a blood cell disorder or if you drink large amounts of alcohol. Some people taking zidovudine develop a serious condition called lactic acidosis. This may be more likely in women, in people who are overweight or have liver disease, and in people who have taken HIV/AIDS medication for a long time.

Typical Uses

Zidovudine is used with other HIV medications to help control HIV infection. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body so your immune system can work better. This lowers your chance of getting HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improves your quality of life. Zidovudine belongs to a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors-NRTIs. Zidovudine is used in pregnant women to prevent passing the HIV virus to the unborn baby. This medication is also used in newborns born to mothers infected with HIV to prevent infection in the newborns. This medication may also be used in combination with other HIV medications to reduce the risk of getting HIV infection after contact with the virus.

Side Effects

Common zidovudine side effects may include low white blood cell counts-fever, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing low red blood cells (anaemia)-pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating or liver problems-nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Zidovudine may increase your risk of certain infections or autoimmune disorders by changing the way your immune system works. Symptoms may occur weeks or months after you start treatment with zidovudine.

Drug Interactions

• Zidovudine+adalimumab- Using adalimumab together with zidovudine may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Zidovudine+bexarotene- Using bexarotene together with zidovudine may increase the risk of pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Zidovudine+certolizumab- Using zidovudine together with certolizumab may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Zidovudine+deferiprone- Deferiprone can lower white blood cell count, and combining it with other medications that can also affect bone marrow function such as zidovudine may increase the risk. You may be more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening infections as a result.
• Zidovudine+ganciclovir- Using zidovudine together with ganciclovir may increase the risk of side effects affecting the blood leading to decreased levels of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets). Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Mechanism of action

Zidovudine belongs to a group of medications called nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), also known as anti-retrovirals. Zidovudine does not cure HIV infection it reduces the amount of viruses in the body by inhibiting the enzyme (viral reverse transcriptase) which is essential for the virus to grow. Further, zidovudine also increases some white blood cells (CD4 cells) of the body that are important in fighting infections.

Pregnancy Category : C