Individual generic drug information

zidovudine

Reference monograph

Part of registered formulation

LAMIVUDINE + NEVIRAPINE + ZIDOVUDINE

Reference record: Zidovudine
Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
Printed source pages: 714
Age groups indexed: 1

Individual active ingredientSource records are displayed separately

Some source sections could not be separated reliably in the extraction. Review the printed source pages when a field is missing or incomplete.

Overview

Extracted information for Zidovudine only.

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

Source page 714

Contra Indications

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

Source page 714

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.

Source page 714

Prescribing And Dispensing Information

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

Source page 714

Safety

Extracted information for Zidovudine only.

Interactions

→Appendix 1: zidovudine

Source page 714

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.

Source page 714

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.

Source 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.

Source page 714

Monitoring Requirements

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

Source page 714

Dose and formulations

Extracted information for Zidovudine only.

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.

Source page 714

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

Source page 714

Dose text by age group

Filter the extracted dose blocks for this individual drug.

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

250–300 mg twice daily

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 714

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

Seek specialist advice (combination therapy

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 714

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

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

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 714

Age labels are extracted from the printed dose headings and require clinical review. Confirm current local guidance, dose, route, formulation, contraindications and interactions before prescribing.

Individual generic drug information

zidovudine

Reference monograph

Part of registered formulation

LAMIVUDINE + NEVIRAPINE + ZIDOVUDINE

Reference record: Zidovudine
Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
Printed source pages: 714
Age groups indexed: 1

Individual active ingredientSource records are displayed separately

Some source sections could not be separated reliably in the extraction. Review the printed source pages when a field is missing or incomplete.

Overview

Extracted information for Zidovudine only.

Indications And Dose

Source page 714

Contra Indications

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

Source page 714

Cautions

Source page 714

Prescribing And Dispensing Information

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

Source page 714

Safety

Extracted information for Zidovudine only.

Interactions

→Appendix 1: zidovudine

Source page 714

Side Effects

Source page 714

Hepatic Impairment

Source 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.

Source page 714

Monitoring Requirements

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

Source page 714

Dose and formulations

Extracted information for Zidovudine only.

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.

Source page 714

Medicinal Forms

Source page 714

Dose text by age group

Filter the extracted dose blocks for this individual drug.

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

250–300 mg twice daily

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 714

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

Seek specialist advice (combination therapy

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 714

Adults

First line only; read the complete Indications and dose section above.

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

This is a first-line fragment. Read the full Indications and Dose section above.

Candidate age grouping · source page 714

Age labels are extracted from the printed dose headings and require clinical review. Confirm current local guidance, dose, route, formulation, contraindications and interactions before prescribing.