Uses / Indications:
The Zidovir 300mg Tablet is used for the following:
As part of combination antiretroviral therapy, it is used to treat HIV infection.
Preventing the spread of HIV from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following inadvertent exposure to HIV (used alongside other antiretrovirals)
Pregnancy interaction:
Zidovir (Zidovudine) is often given to pregnant women to lower the risk of passing HIV from mother to baby. It is usually safe with medical monitoring.
Research indicates that zidovudine medication during gestation and parturition markedly reduces mother-to-child transmission rates.
Only use this under strong medical supervision and with regular blood tests to check for anemia or other negative effects.
Breastfeeding is not a beneficial idea for moms who are HIV-positive since HIV can be passed through breast milk even if the mother is taking medicine.
It is safe and helpful to take Zidovir 300 mg while pregnant, but only with a doctor's supervision.
Expert advice:
To keep your blood levels stable, take Zidovir at the same time every day.
Avoid abruptly stopping or skipping the medication, as this may lead to the development of virus resistance.
Regular blood tests, particularly those measuring hemoglobin and white blood cell count, are essential for monitoring potential side effects.
Even if you're in therapy, you should still practice safe sex and take other precautions. The medicine doesn't stop HIV from spreading through touch.
If you feel very weary, have pale skin, or have trouble breathing, tell your doctor. These are all indicators of anemia.
To keep your immune system strong, eat well, get enough sleep, and drink enough water.
Side Effects:
Some common and minor side effects are
Feeling sick or throwing up
Pain in the head
Weakness or tiredness
Feeling dizzy
Not wanting to eat
Pain in the muscles
Serious side effects that don't happen very often:
Anemia or neutropenia (low levels of red or white blood cells)
Lactic acidosis (symptoms: pain in the stomach, weakness, and deep breathing)
Problems with the liver (skin or eyes turning yellow, black urine)
Myopathy is when your muscles hurt or are weak.
Peripheral neuropathy is when your hands or feet tingle.
⚠️ If you have trouble breathing, are very tired, or have muscle discomfort, call your doctor right away.
How to use:
Dosage: Typically, take two 300 mg tablets daily, unless your doctor advises a different amount.
Route: Take the pill by mouth with water.
With or without food: Either is OK, but stick to the same schedule.
If you forget to take your dose, take it right away unless it's close to the next one. Don't ever double up.
Duration: Keep going as recommended; don't quit without talking to your doctor first.
How it works:
Zidovudine (Zidovir) is used by
Zidovudine (Zidovir) functions by inhibiting the activity of reverse transcriptase, an enzyme essential for HIV growth.
This keeps the virus from making copies of itself and lowers the virus's amount in the blood.
The immune system gets better as the virus activity goes down, which helps keep opportunistic infections from happening.
Regular use as part of combination therapy slows the course of HIV and makes life better.
Faq for medicine:
1. What does Zidovir do?
It is used to treat HIV infection and stop the virus from spreading from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth.
2. Can Zidovudine get rid of HIV/AIDS?
No. It doesn't get rid of HIV, but taking it frequently can help control the virus and boost the immune system.
3. How long should I be on Zidovudine?
You must take it for life or as your doctor says as part of combination antiretroviral therapy.
4. Is it okay to take Zidovir on an empty stomach?
Yes. You can take it with or without food; however, taking it with meals may help soothe your stomach.
5. What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
As soon as you recall, take the dose you missed. If it's nearly time for your next dose, please skip the missed one. Don't double up to make up.
Medicine interaction:
Zidovir might interact with:
Drugs that depress bone marrow, like ganciclovir, ribavirin, and doxorubicin, raise the risk of anemia.
Phenytoin changes the blood levels of both medications.
Methadone: the dose may need to be changed.
Aspirin, indomethacin, or naproxen can make zidovudine more hazardous.
Anticonvulsants (valproic acid) raise the level of zidovudine.
Other antiretrovirals, such as stavudine and ribavirin, may make it less effective.
Always tell your doctor about all the vitamins and medicines you are taking.
