Zidovudine (Azidothymidine, AZT, Compound S)(zid o vew’ den)
Retrovir
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug Classes
Antiviral
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
Therapeutic Actions
Thymidine analogue isolated from the sperm of herring; drug is activated to a triphosphate form that inhibits replication of some retroviruses, including HIV, HTLV III, alpha retrovirus, lymphadenopathy-associated virus.
Indications
Management of certain adult patients with symptomatic HIV infection in combination with other antiretrovirals
Prevention of maternal–fetal HIV transmission
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with life-threatening allergy to any component, lactation.
Use cautiously with compromised bone marrow, impaired renal or hepatic function, pregnancy.
Available Forms
Capsules—100 mg; tablets—300 mg; syrup—50 mg/5 mL; injection—10 mg/mL
Dosages
Adults
Oral
Symptomatic HIV infection: 600 mg PO daily in divided doses as either 200 mg tid or 300 mg bid. Monitor hematologic indices every 2 wk. If significant anemia (Hgb less than 7.5 g/dL, reduction of more than 25%) or reduction of granulocytes more than 50% below baseline occurs, dose interruption is necessary until evidence of bone marrow recovery is seen. If less severe bone marrow depression occurs, a dosage reduction may be adequate.
Prevention of maternal–fetal transmission: 100 mg PO five times/day until the start of labor.
IV
1 mg/kg IV 5–6 times/day infused over 1 hr. During labor and delivery 2 mg/kg IV loading dose; then 1 mg/kg/hr until umbilical cord is clamped.
Pediatric patients 6 wk–12 yr
4 to less than 9 kg: 24 mg/kg/day PO in two to three divided doses.
9 to less than 30 kg: 18 mg/kg/day PO in two to three divided doses.
30 kg and over: 600 mg/day PO in two to three divided doses.
Infants born to HIV-infected mothers
2 mg/kg PO every 6 hr starting within 12 hr of birth to 6 wk of age or 1.5 mg/kg IV over 30 min every 6 hr.
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