Retrovir

Retrovir

     * Generic Name: zidovudine
     * Brand Name: Retrovir


     * What is zidovudine (Retrovir)?
     * What are the possible side effects of zidovudine (Retrovir)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       zidovudine (Retrovir)?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       zidovudine (Retrovir)?
     * How should I take zidovudine (Retrovir)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (Retrovir)?
     * What happens if I overdose (Retrovir)?
     * What should I avoid while taking zidovudine (Retrovir)?
     * What other drugs will affect zidovudine (Retrovir)?
     * Where can I get more information (Retrovir)?

What is zidovudine (Retrovir)?

   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.

   Zidovudine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of zidovudine (Retrovir)?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction
   (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a
   severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes,
   skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering
   and peeling).

   Early symptoms of lactic acidosis may get worse over time and this
   condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even
   mild symptoms: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in
   your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with
   vomiting, irregular heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or
   tired.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * low white blood cell counts--fever, flu symptoms, swollen gums,
       painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cough,
       trouble breathing;
     * low red blood cells (anemia)--pale skin, unusual tiredness,
       feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet;
       or
     * liver problems--swelling around your midsection, upper stomach
       pain, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine,
       clay-colored 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. Tell your doctor if you have:
     * signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands,
       mouth sores, diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss;
     * chest pain (especially when you breathe), dry cough, wheezing,
       feeling short of breath;
     * cold sores, sores on your genital or anal area;
     * rapid heart rate, feeling anxious or irritable, weakness or prickly
       feeling, problems with balance or eye movement;
     * trouble speaking or swallowing, severe lower back pain, loss of
       bladder or bowel control; or
     * swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual
       changes, impotence, loss of interest in sex.

   Common side effects may include:
     * headache;
     * fever, general ill feeling;
     * cough;
     * nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite; or
     * changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your
       arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about zidovudine
(Retrovir)?

   This medicine may cause a serious condition called lactic acidosis. Get
   emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle
   pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble
   breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, irregular heart rate,
   dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.

   Zidovudine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections
   and help circulate oxygen in your body. Zidovudine can also cause
   severe or life-threatening effects on your liver.

   Call your doctor if you have symptoms such as: fever, flu symptoms,
   unusual tiredness, mouth sores, pale skin, cold hands and feet, upper
   stomach pain, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

   Retrovir Patient Information including How Should I Take
   HIV AIDS: Myths and Facts on Symptoms and Treatments

   HIV AIDS Myths and Facts Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the HIV/AIDS Quiz
   AIDS Retrospective:Pictorial Timeline of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic

   AIDS Retrospective Slideshow Pictures

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking zidovudine
(Retrovir)?

   Do not take zidovudine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to
   Retrovir or any medicine that contains zidovudine, including
   Combivir or Trizivir.

   Do not take Retrovir with any other medicine that contains zidovudine
   or stavudine, including: Combivir, Trizivir, or Zerit.

   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. Talk with your doctor about your
   risk.

   Zidovudine can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your
   liver. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, especially
   hepatitis C.

   To make sure zidovudine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have
   ever had:
     * kidney disease;
     * muscle problems;
     * bone marrow suppression;
     * bleeding or a blood cell disorder; or
     * if you drink large amounts of alcohol.

   Zidovudine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. However, HIV can be
   passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy.
   Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.

   If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry.
   This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any
   effects of zidovudine on the baby.

   Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby
   is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast
   milk.

How should I take zidovudine (Retrovir)?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
   occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or
   smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

   Zidovudine can be taken with or without food.

   If a child is using this medicine, tell your doctor if the child has
   any changes in weight. Zidovudine doses are based on weight in
   children, and any changes may affect your child's dose.

   Zidovudine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections
   and help circulate oxygen in your body. You may get an infection or
   feel more tired than usual. Your blood will need to be tested often.

   HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all
   medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or
   patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your
   doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person
   with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

   Retrovir Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   HIV AIDS: Myths and Facts on Symptoms and Treatments

   HIV AIDS Myths and Facts Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the HIV/AIDS Quiz
   AIDS Retrospective:Pictorial Timeline of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic

   AIDS Retrospective Slideshow Pictures

What happens if I miss a dose (Retrovir)?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Retrovir)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking zidovudine (Retrovir)?

   Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage or
   lactic acidosis.

   Taking this medicine will not prevent you from passing HIV to other
   people. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes.
   Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission
   during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a
   healthy person.

What other drugs will affect zidovudine (Retrovir)?

   Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or
   stop using, especially:
     * doxorubicin;
     * ganciclovir;
     * interferon alfa;
     * ribavirin; or
     * drugs that weaken the immune system such as cancer medicine,
       steroids, and medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.

   This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with zidovudine,
   including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and
   herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this
   medication guide.

Where can I get more information (Retrovir)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about zidovudine.
     __________________________________________________________________

   Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
   children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
   medication only for the indication prescribed.
   Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by
   Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
   but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
   herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
   use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
   therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United
   States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
   Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
   recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational
   resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring
   for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a
   supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill,
   knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a
   warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be
   construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe,
   effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume
   any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the
   aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is
   not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions,
   warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If
   you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your
   doctor, nurse or pharmacist.