|
|
|
|
NAME
Zidovudine, AZT |
BRAND
Retrovir |
CLASS
Nucleoside analog (also called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, NRTI or nuke) |
COST
$4,013/yr., $334/month |
STANDARD DOSE
One 300 mg tablet twice a day (two 100 mg capsules three times a day also available), no food restrictions. Clear, strawberry liquid available for pediatric use. Take missed dose as soon as possible, but do not double the dose. |
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Headaches, fever, chills, muscle soreness, fatigue, anemia, nausea, and fingernail discolorations, AZT has been associated with bone marrow suppression: anemia and/or neutropenia, particularly in people with advanced HIV. Potential for severe anemia requiring blood transfusion or hospitalization when used with hydroxyurea. Prolonged use of AZT as been associated with symptomatic mypoathy (muscle damage). Rare but potentially fatal toxicity with all the NRTIs: pancreatitis; lactic acidosis and enlarged fatty liver (hepatomegaly with steatosis; check for tenderness below the ribs on right side.) |
POTENTIAL DRUG INTERACTIONS
Biaxin (clarithromycin) Mycobutin (rifabutin) and rifampin (under various brand names, used for treatingTuberculosis) may decrease AZT blood levels and decrease AZT clearance. Methadone and ganciclovir (cytovense and Vitrasert) increase AZT blood levels. Prescribed may need to adjust doses accordingly. AZT and Zerit shouldn't be used together due to evidence that one limits the other's bioavailabilty level in the test tube. Also, risk of bone marrow toxicity may increase with use of ganiciclovir, amphoterican B, pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam or Pentacarmat), dapsone, flucytosine,mm interferon-alpha ribavirin (rebetol), and with other antineoplastics (anti-tumor treatment) such as hydroxyuera. Ribavirin and AZT cancel each other out. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
