What is Retrovir/Zidovudine used for?

This medication is used with other medicines to treat HIV infection. It is also used to prevent the passing of the HIV virus from a pregnant woman to a developing fetus.

If you have any questions about your medicine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider. This medicine is to be used by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not give it to others. This information is advisory only. It does not contain all information about this medicine. If you have any questions about your medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

How should Retrovir/Zidovudine be stored?

Store between 59 and 77 degrees F. Protect from moisture.

General drug information:

When should Retrovir/Zidovudine not be taken?

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine

What precautions should I follow when taking Retrovir/Zidovudine?

Before using this medicine, tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding if you are taking any prescription medicine, nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement if you are taking Combivir , or combination products that contain zidovudine or Trizinir if you have a bone marrow disorder if you have liver or kidney disease if you have anemia if you have any other medical condition

What special warning(s) should I be aware of when taking Retrovir/Zidovudine?

This medication may be associated with severe blood disorders and liver damage, especially in patients with advanced HIV disease. Rare but potentially fatal acid imbalance in the blood has also occurred. Long-term use has been associated with muscle disease.

What are the side effects of Retrovir/Zidovudine?

Most severe:  Muscle pain or weakness; shortness of breath; allergic reactions (rash; hives; tightness in the chest; difficulty breathing; swelling of the mouth, lips, face, or tongue); yellowing of the skin or eyes; inflammation of the pancreas (severe n

Most common:  Headache; general body discomfort; fever; diarrhea; cough; constipation; muscle pain; sleeplessness; stomach upset; nerve pain.

Other:  Mouth sores; feeling of a whirling motion; changes in nail and skin color.

How should I take Retrovir/Zidovudine?

How much medicine you take and how often you take it depends on many factors, including the condition being treated, your age, and weight. If you have any questions about the amount andperor frequency of the medicine you are taking, talk with your health care provider. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your health care provider. Before taking this medicine, talk with your health care provider about medications that should not be taken with this medicine. This medication must be taken with other HIV medicines to be effective. This medicine may be taken with or without food. When your medicine supply begins to run low, get more from your doctor or pharmacy as soon as possible. The virus may develop resistance to this medicine if you stop taking it, even for a short period of time, and may become harder to treat. Certain side effects are more frequent or severe in patients with advanced HIV disease and in those who start taking this medication later in the course of their infection. Contact your health care provider at once if any of the following occurs: Muscle weakness; yellowing of skin or eyes; fever; sore throat; difficulty breathing; dizziness; rash; dark urine; stomach pain or swelling. Contact your health care provider if severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain occurs. A pregnant woman can pass the HIV virus on to her unborn child, even though she is taking this medicine. Long-term effects of this medicine on the unborn child are not known. This medication will not protect against the transmission of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination. This medication is not a cure for HIV infection. Patients may continue to experience illnessesperinfections associated with HIV infection. Remain under the care of your doctor and notify them of any changes in your health. HIV-infected mothers should not breastfeed their infants because of the risk of passing the HIV infection to the child. This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or changes in vision. Use caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity. Lab tests will be required while taking this medication. Be sure to keep appointments. Do not stop taking this medication without checking with your doctor. Patients with previous medical conditions should talk with their health care provider before taking this medication. Do not take more medication than prescribed unless advised to do so by your doctor or health care provider. Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications without talking with your doctor. This includes any herbal preparations or dietary supplements. If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed, contact your doctor or pharmacist.