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| Pronunciation |
|
 (zye
DOE vyoo
deen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Retrovir® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo-Zidovudine® (Canada); Dipedyne
(Mexico); Kenamil (Mexico); Novo-AZT (Canada); Retrovir-AZT
(Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antiretroviral Agent, Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor
(Nucleoside) |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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|
- This medicine may cause severe changes in the number of blood
cells, decreasing the ability to fight infections or causing symptoms of
weakness and fatigue. This medicine may cause severe damage to the liver or a
change in acid levels in the blood. This medicine may cause muscle aches and
stiffness if it is used for long periods of time. Closely review the section in
this leaflet which lists when to immediately call your healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
- If you have an allergy to zidovudine or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to treat HIV infection. It is usually taken with
2 other medicines.
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| How does it work? |
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- Zidovudine stops the HIV virus from increasing. It blocks reproduction
of the virus.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
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- The medicine must be taken exactly as directed.
- Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
- Avoid a high fat meal after taking this
medicine.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- Do not run out of this medication. Get it refilled today!
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Protect against sexual spread of disease. Use an effective method of
birth control. Talk with healthcare provider if you have questions.
- Can be used in pregnancy (helps decrease baby's risk of getting HIV
disease).
- Breast-feeding is not recommended in HIV
disease.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Headache.
- Anemia and low white blood cell count (can get infections easier).
- Fever.
- Rash.
- Weakness.
- No appetite.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Shortness of breath or decreased ability to exercise.
- Belly pain, feeling tired, dark urine, yellow eyes/skin, not hungry.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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