[zidovudine photo]
KEY POINTS
- Zidovudine (Retrovir) is nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and antiretroviral medication used versus human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- A thymidine analogue that interferes with HIV viral RNA-dependant DNA polymerase, which causes inhibition of viral replication
- One of the few antiretrovirals available in an injectable formulation
- Is also available oral
- Can be used for prevention of perinatal HIV transmission in neonates, prevention of maternal-fetal HIV transmission
- Can be used in the treatment of HIV
- Can be used off-label for post-exposure prophylaxis
- Adjust dose for renal impairment
- Has FDA black box warnings for:
- hematologic toxicity
- myopathy
- lactic acidosis / severe hepatomegaly
- Some of the side effects to beware include: fat redistribution (e.g., buffalo hump), headache, malaise, skin rash, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, hepatomegaly, cough fever, anemia
- Pregnancy category: C
RESOURCES
- Zidovudine Package Insert (Oral)
- Zidovudine Package Insert (Injectable)
- Zidovudine Resource Page On AIDSinfo
- HIV Guidelines from AIDSinfo