Zidovudine (Oral Route)

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of zidovudine in children.

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Blood or bone marrow problems (e.g., anemia, neutropenia) or
• Muscle problems or
• Obesity (overweight)—Use with caution. Zidovudine may make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease (including hepatitis)—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

• Low amounts of folic acid or vitamin B12 in the blood—Zidovudine may worsen anemia caused by a decrease of folic acid or vitamin B12.

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For HIV infection:
  • For oral dosage forms (capsules, solution, and tablets):
    • Adults—600 milligrams (mg) a day in divided doses in combination with other anti-virus medicine.
    • Children and infants 4 weeks of age and older—Dose is based on body weight or body size and must be determined by your child's doctor. The recommended dose is 18 to 24 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) per day of body weight or 600 mg per day or 480 milligrams per square meter of body surface area (mg/m²) a day in divided doses.
• To help prevent pregnant women from passing HIV to their babies during pregnancy and at birth:
  • For oral dosage form (capsules):
    • Pregnant women (after 14 weeks of pregnancy, up to the start of labor)—100 milligrams (mg) five times a day, 200 mg every eight hours, or 300 mg every twelve hours until the start of labor.
  • For oral dosage form (solution):
    • Pregnant women (after 14 weeks of pregnancy, up to the start of labor)—100 milligrams (mg) five times a day, 200 mg every eight hours, or 300 mg every twelve hours until the start of labor.
    • Newborn infants—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 2 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) (0.9 mg per pound) of body weight every six hours starting within eight to twelve hours of birth and continuing through 6 weeks of age.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.