About zidovudine
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)
Used for
- Treatment of HIV-1 infection, with other antiretroviral medicines
- Prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission in selected regimens
Usual adult dose
HIV treatment: 300 mg twice daily with other antiretroviral medicines.
Usual dose in children
Used in children; dose is based on weight or body-surface area and treatment regimen.
Common side effects
- Anaemia and low white blood cell counts
- Nausea, vomiting, or headache
- Muscle pain or weakness
- Rarely, lactic acidosis or liver enlargement with fat accumulation
Important warnings
- Blood counts may need monitoring, especially early in treatment.
- Seek urgent assessment for severe weakness, breathing difficulty, abdominal pain, or unusual bleeding.
- Use cautiously with liver disease or a history of low blood counts.
- Does not cure HIV; other antiretroviral medicines are required.
Pregnancy
Can be used during pregnancy when indicated; it has an established role in preventing HIV transmission to the baby.
Breastfeeding
HIV can pass through breast milk; zidovudine does not remove this risk. Follow local HIV-feeding guidance.
Interactions
- Ribavirin may worsen anaemia and should generally be avoided together.
- Other medicines affecting bone marrow can increase blood-cell problems.
- Probenecid may increase zidovudine levels.
- Stavudine may have reduced effectiveness when taken with zidovudine.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.