Zidovudine Injection

(zye doe' vyoo deen)

Brand Name(s): Retrovir^®; also available generically

Other Name(s): AZT, ZDV

IMPORTANT WARNING:

Zidovudine injection may decrease the number of certain cells in your blood, including red and white blood cells. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a low number of any type of blood cells, any blood disorders, or bone marrow problems. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: unusual bleeding or bruising, fever, chills, or other symptoms of infection, unusual tiredness or weakness, or pale skin.

Zidovudine injection also may cause life-threatening damage to the liver. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment: nausea, vomiting, pain in the upper right part of your stomach, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fast or irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, dark yellow or brown urine, light-colored bowel movements, yellowing of the skin or eyes, feeling cold, especially in the arms or legs, or muscle pain that is different than any muscle pain you usually experience.

Zidovudine injection may cause muscle disease when used for a longer period of time. Call your doctor if you experience tiredness, muscle pain, or weakness.

It is important to keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to zidovudine injection.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving zidovudine injection.

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Zidovudine injection is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Zidovudine is given to HIV-positive pregnant women to reduce the chance of passing the infection to the baby. Zidovudine injection is in a class of medications called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). It works by decreasing the amount of HIV in the blood.

Although zidovudine injection does not cure HIV, it may decrease your chance of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV-related illnesses. Using or taking these medications along and making other life-style changes may decrease the risk of transmitting (spreading) the HIV virus to other people.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Zidovudine injection comes as a solution (liquid) to inject intravenously (into a vein). Give over an hour every 4 hours. Infants 6 weeks of age and younger may receive it over a period of 30 minutes every 6 hours. During labor and delivery, women may receive a continuous zidovudine infusion until the baby is delivered.

Your doctor may temporarily stop your treatment if you experience serious side effects.

You may receive zidovudine injection in a hospital, or you may administer the medication at home. If you will be receiving zidovudine injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before using zidovudine injection,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any otherdrugs, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and whatsymptoms you had.

• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while receiving zidovudine injection. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease.

• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while receiving zidovudine injection, call your doctor.

• tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Some of the medication and HIV may be passed to your baby in your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the risks of breastfeeding your baby if you are taking zidovudine injection.

• you should know that you may have a loss of body fat from your face, legs, and arms. Talk to your doctor if you notice this change.

• you should know that while you are using medications to treat HIV infection, your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight other infections that were already in your body. This may cause you to develop symptoms of those infections. If you have new or worsening symptoms after starting treatment with zidovudine injection, be sure to tell your doctor.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Zidovudine injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• headache
• nausea
• vomiting
• constipation
• diarrhea (especially in children)
• stomach cramps or pain
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• heartburn

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• rash; itching; hives; blistering or peeling of the skin; difficulty breathing or swallowing; swelling of the eyes, face, tongue, lips, or throat

Zidovudine injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

• fatigue
• headache
• vomiting

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS^® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2025. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: July 15, 2025.