Zidovudine

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Synonym(s)

Azidothymidine; AZT

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Virustatic agent (AZT).

Half-lifeThis section has been translated automatically.

1 h

Pharmacodynamics (Effect)This section has been translated automatically.

Nucleoside analogue. Competitive inhibition of HIV reverse transcriptase in HIV infection.

IndicationThis section has been translated automatically.

Combination therapy of HIV infection.

Pregnancy/nursing periodThis section has been translated automatically.

Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine!

Dosage and method of useThis section has been translated automatically.

Peroral application (cps/filmbl./sg.): Adults: 500-600 mg/day divided into 2-3 EDs. Children > 3 months - 12 years 360-480 mg/m2 KO/day divided into 3-4 ED.
I.v. application: adults (70 kg): 1 or 2 mg/kg bw every 4 hours, children: 80-160 mg/m2 KO every 6 hours i.v.
Infants > 3 months: 12 mg/kg bw/day
infants < 3 months: 8 mg/kg bw/day

Remember! Men should not conceive children during AZT treatment and up to 6 months (e.g. as part of post-exposure prophylaxis) afterwards!

Undesirable effectsThis section has been translated automatically.

Cutaneous ADRs: erythroderma, maculopapular exanthema, urticaria, nail pigmentation.
Also: anemia, neutropenia, leukopenia, gastrointestinal problems, fever, headache, reaction limitation, paresthesias, proximal myopathies in long-term use.
Notice! Increase of side effects with simultaneous administration of Cotrimoxazole and Pyrimethamine
. Simultaneous administration of ganciclovir almost always results in myelosuppression, which can be corrected by administration of G-CSF!

InteractionsThis section has been translated automatically.

See Table 1.

ContraindicationThis section has been translated automatically.

Cytostatic treatment of lymphoma or Kaposi's sarcoma, severe liver and kidney dysfunction.

PreparationsThis section has been translated automatically.

Retrovir

Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.

The effective level in the liquor is about 50% of the plasma level.

TablesThis section has been translated automatically.

Main interactions of zidovudine

Acetylsalicylic acid	Zidovudine toxicity ↑
Aciclovir	rarely seizures ↑
amphotericin B	Haematotoxicity ↑
Anti-inflammatories, non-steroidal	Zidovudine toxicity ↑
Atovaquon	Zidovudine plasma levels ↑ by 35%
Barbiturates	Zidovudine toxicity ↑
Cotrimoxazole	Myelosuppression ↑
Dapson	Myelosuppression ↑
Doxorubicin	Myelosuppression ↑
Etoposide	Myelosuppression ↑
Fluconazole	Zidovudine plasma mirror ↑
Flucytosine	Haematotoxicity ↑
Foscarnet	Anemia
Ganciclovir	Haematotoxicity ↑, avoid combination
Levomethadone	Zidovudine plasma mirror ↑
Pentamidine i.v.	rarely hematotoxicity ↑
Ribavirin	Ribavirin effect ↓
Rifabutin	Zidovudine plasma mirror ↓
Sulfonamides	Haematotoxicity ↑
Vinblastine	Haematotoxicity ↑
Vincrist	Haematotoxicity ↑

Authors

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer