Drug reference

Zidovudine

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 714

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

HIV infection in combination with other antiretroviral drugs ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 250–300 mg twice daily Prevention of maternal-fetal HIV transmission ▶BY MOUTH, OR BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION ▶Adult: Seek specialist advice (combination therapy preferred) (consult local protocol) HIV infection in combination with other antiretroviral drugs in patients temporarily unable to take zidovudine by mouth ▶BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION ▶Adult: 0.8–1 mg/kg every 4 hours usually for not more than 2 weeks, dose approximating to 1.2–1.5 mg/kg every 4 hours by mouth

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Contra Indications

Abnormally low haemoglobin concentration (consult product literature). abnormally low neutrophil counts (consult product literature)

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Cautions

Elderly. lactic acidosis. risk of haematological toxicity particularly with high dose and advanced disease. vitamin B12 deﬁciency (increased risk of neutropenia) CAUTIONS, FURTHER INFORMATION ▶Lactic acidosis Lactic acidosis associated with hepatomegaly and hepatic steatosis has been reported with zidovudine. Use with caution in patients with hepatomegaly, hepatitis, or other risk factors for liver disease and hepatic steatosis (including obesity and alcohol abuse). Discontinue treatment if symptoms of hyperlactataemia, lactic acidosis, progressive hepatomegaly or rapid deterioration of liver function become apparent.

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Prescribing And Dispensing Information

The abbreviation AZT which is sometimes used for zidovudine has also been used for another drug.

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Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: zidovudine

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Side Effects

GENERAL SIDE-EFFECTS ▶Common or very common Leucopenia. malaise. myalgia ▶Uncommon Bone marrow disorders. dyspnoea. fever. ﬂatulence. generalised pain. myopathy. thrombocytopenia ▶Rare or very rare Alertness decreased. anxiety. appetite decreased. cardiomyopathy. chest pain. chills. cough. depression. drowsiness. dyspepsia. gynaecomastia. hepatic disorders. hyperhidrosis. inﬂuenza like illness. nail discolouration. oral discolouration. paraesthesia. pure red cell aplasia. seizure. taste altered. urinary frequency increased ▶Frequency not known Lipoatrophy SPECIFIC SIDE-EFFECTS ▶With intravenous use Weight increased SIDE-EFFECTS, FURTHER INFORMATION Anaemia and myelosuppression If anaemia or myelosuppression occur, reduce dose or interrupt treatment according to product literature, or consider other treatment. Lipodystrophy syndrome Metabolic effects may occur with zidovudine; plasma lipids and blood glucose concentrations should be measured routinely.

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Hepatic Impairment

Manufacturer advises caution in moderate to severe impairment (increased risk of accumulation). Dose adjustments Manufacturer advises consider dose reduction in moderate to severe impairment—consult product literature.

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Renal Impairment

Dose adjustments Reduce oral dose to 300–400 mg daily in divided doses or intravenous dose to 1 mg/kg 3–4 times daily if eGFR is less than 10 mL/minute/1.73 m2.

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Monitoring Requirements

Monitor full blood count after 4 weeks of treatment, then every 3 months.

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Dose and formulations

Directions For Administration

▶With intravenous use For intermittent intravenous infusion, dilute to a concentration of 2 mg/mL or 4 mg/mL with Glucose 5% and give over 1 hour.

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Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Solution for infusion ▶Retrovir (ViiV Healthcare UK Ltd) Zidovudine 10 mg per 1 ml Retrovir IV 200mg/20ml concentrate for solution for infusion vials | 5 vial P £52.48 Oral solution ▶Retrovir (ViiV Healthcare UK Ltd) Zidovudine 10 mg per 1 ml Retrovir 100mg/10ml oral solution sugar-free | 200 ml P £20.91 Capsule ▶Zidovudine (Non-proprietary) Zidovudine 100 mg Zidovudine 100mg capsules | 60 capsule P £53.31 Zidovudine 250 mg Zidovudine 250mg capsules | 60 capsule P £13.32 ▶Retrovir (ViiV Healthcare UK Ltd) Zidovudine 100 mg Retrovir 100mg capsules | 100 capsule P £104.54 Zidovudine 250 mg Retrovir 250mg capsules | 40 capsule P £104.54

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Dose text by age group

Adult

250–300 mg twice daily

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

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Adult

Seek specialist advice (combination therapy

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

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Adult

0.8–1 mg/kg every 4 hours usually for not more

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 714

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.

Drug reference

Zidovudine

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 714

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

PDF page 714

Contra Indications

Abnormally low haemoglobin concentration (consult product literature). abnormally low neutrophil counts (consult product literature)

PDF page 714

Cautions

PDF page 714

Prescribing And Dispensing Information

The abbreviation AZT which is sometimes used for zidovudine has also been used for another drug.

PDF page 714

Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: zidovudine

PDF page 714

Side Effects

PDF page 714

Hepatic Impairment

PDF page 714

Renal Impairment

Dose adjustments Reduce oral dose to 300–400 mg daily in divided doses or intravenous dose to 1 mg/kg 3–4 times daily if eGFR is less than 10 mL/minute/1.73 m2.

PDF page 714

Monitoring Requirements

Monitor full blood count after 4 weeks of treatment, then every 3 months.

PDF page 714

Dose and formulations

Directions For Administration

▶With intravenous use For intermittent intravenous infusion, dilute to a concentration of 2 mg/mL or 4 mg/mL with Glucose 5% and give over 1 hour.

PDF page 714

Medicinal Forms

PDF page 714

Dose text by age group

Adult

250–300 mg twice daily

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 714

Adult

Seek specialist advice (combination therapy

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 714

Adult

0.8–1 mg/kg every 4 hours usually for not more

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 714

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.