• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info

What is this medicine?
ZIDOVUDINE (zye DOE vue deen) is an antiretroviral medicine. It is used with other medicines to treat HIV. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. It will not stop the spread of HIV to others.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

Back to Top

What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

Back to Top

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• changes in emotions or moods
• changes in hearing
• dizziness
• fever or chills, sore throat
• muscle pain or weakness
• nausea, vomiting, unusual stomach upset or pain
• pain or difficulty swallowing
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• seizures
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusually weak or tired
• weight gain around waist, back, or thinning of face, arms, legs
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• changes in skin or nail color
• constipation
• headache
• loss of appetite
• unusual taste in the mouth

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Back to Top

How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as newborns for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

Back to Top

What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.

Back to Top

What may interact with this medicine?

• atovaquone
• doxorubicin
• fluconazole
• ganciclovir
• interferon
• methadone
• nelfinavir
• other zidovudine medicines
• phenytoin
• probenecid
• ribavirin
• rifampin
• ritonavir
• stavudine, d4T
• valproic acid

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

Back to Top

Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to zidovudine or any ingredient in the formulation.

Back to Top

What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medicine.

HIV is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your doctor about how to stop the spread of HIV.

This medicine can cause blood problems. You may have slow healing and a higher risk of infection while on this medicine. Try to avoid cutting or injuring yourself. Be careful not to damage to your teeth and gums when you brush or floss your teeth.

Back to Top

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• kidney disease
• liver disease
• low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
• an unusual or allergic reaction to zidovudine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

Back to Top

Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
If you have been diagnosed with a disease for which an antibiotic is needed, you must complete the prescribed course of treatment. Even if you start to feel better, do not skip any doses and remember to take the medication until it is all gone.

Back to Top

I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

Back to Top

Where can I get more information?
More Information

Back to Top