Zidovudine

Zidovudine is an antiviral medicine that decreases the amount of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in your blood. You need a prescription from a healthcare provider to get this drug. It is used:

• To prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS.
• To prevent the passing of HIV from an infected pregnant woman to their unborn child.
• To prevent an HIV patient from getting other complications like cancer or serious infections.
• To prevent infection among healthcare providers who accidentally get pricked by a needle when treating people living with HIV.

Zidovudine is a medication that treats the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Alongside other HIV medications, zidovudine treats HIV and slows down the progression of the viral infection to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). This drug is useful for preventing mother-to-child transmission of the virus and preventing infection among healthcare workers. To get this drug, you need a doctor’s prescription.

• Zidovudine is available as tablets, capsules, or syrups.
• You should take it by mouth 2-3 times a day, at the same time every day.
• You can take zidovudine with or without food.
• Shake the drug well if you are using the syrup. Also, make sure you measure the dose using a measuring cover or spoon.
• Do not skip any dose, and do not stop unless you have finished your drug.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. However, do not take a double dose at once.
• If you happen to take more than the prescribed dose, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

The side effects of zidovudine include the following:

• Stomach pain.
• Sleeping difficulty.
• Constipation or diarrhoea.
• Call your doctor immediately if you experience rash, difficulty breathing, or peeling of your skin.

This is not a full list of side effects of this drug. Call your healthcare provider at once if you have any unpleasant effect that persists beyond 3 days.

You must inform your healthcare provider if you have any health conditions or medications that you have used in the past month. Some of these may affect how your medicine works.

The following are important things to note before taking zidovudine:

• Tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to this medicine or other antivirals.
• Inform your healthcare provider if you become pregnant or are breastfeeding while using this medicine.
• Some drugs, like Clarithromycin, should not be used with zidovudine unless your healthcare provider prescribes them. In which case, you should take the other medicines two hours or more before you use zidovudine.
• Inform your healthcare provider if you have blood disorders, bone marrow, muscle, or liver problems.
• Keep your zidovudine medication and other medicines away from children, and avoid sharing your drugs with other people.