By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo

TheMediTary.Com

Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com

  • Home
  • News
  • Drugs
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Medical Answers
  • About Us
  • Contact
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo
Search Drugs
  • Drugs
    • Latest Drugs
    • Drugs A-Z
    • Medical Answers
  • News
    • FDA Alerts
    • Medical News
    • Health
    • Consumer Updates
    • Children's Health
  • More TheMediTary.Com
    • About Us
    • Contact
Follow US
Home > Drugs > Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) > Retrovir (oral/injection)
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

Retrovir (oral/injection)

https://themeditary.com/drug/retrovir-oral-injection-3004.html
Medically Reviewed by Glamora Samuels, MD TheMediTary.Com | Reviewed: Jul 14, 2023  Additional Content by TheMediTary.Com

Generic name: zidovudine (oral/injection) [ zye-doe-vyoo-deen ]

Drug class: Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

Dosage form: capsules. injection and syrup

Availability: Prescription only

Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data available

Brand names: Zidovudine (oral/injection), Zidovudine (monograph)

Contents
Uses Warnings Before Taking Dosage Side effects Interactions
  • Retrovir (oral/injection) (Zidovudine (oral/injection) [ zye-doe-vyoo-deen ])-LOGO Wellcome Y9C 100-100 mg-Blue & White-Capsule-shape Retrovir (oral/injection) 100 mg (LOGO Wellcome Y9C 100)
  • Retrovir (oral/injection) (Zidovudine (oral/injection) [ zye-doe-vyoo-deen ])-300 GX CW3-300 mg-White-Round Retrovir (oral/injection) 300 mg (300 GX CW3)
  • View all images

What is Retrovir (oral/injection)?

Retrovir is an antiviral medicine used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medicine is also given during pregnancy to prevent an HIV-infected woman from passing the virus to her baby. This medicine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Retrovir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Get emergency medical help if you have unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeats, dizziness, vomiting, or if you feel cold, tired, or very weak.

Retrovir can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help circulate oxygen. This medicine can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver.

Call your doctor if you have symptoms such as: fever, flu symptoms, unusual tiredness, mouth sores, pale skin, cold hands and feet, upper stomach pain, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

How should I use Retrovir (oral/injection)

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Retrovir oral is taken by mouth, usually in combination with other antiviral medications.

Retrovir injection is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection if you are unable to take the medicine by mouth.

Retrovir oral can be taken with or without food.

Measure liquid medicine carefully, especially when giving Retrovir to a baby. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Retrovir doses are based on weight in children. Your child's dose needs may change if the child gains or loses weight.

Retrovir can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help circulate oxygen in your body. You may get an infection or feel more tired than usual. Your blood will need to be tested often.

Use all HIV medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV should remain under the care of a doctor.

Store Retrovir oral at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Detailed Retrovir dosage information
Retrovir (oral/injection) Dosage information (more detail)

Before Taking

You should not use Retrovir if you are allergic to it.

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, if you've taken HIV medication for a long time, or if you are a woman. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Retrovir can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, especially hepatitis C.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • kidney disease;

  • muscle problems;

  • a latex allergy (if you receive Retrovir injection);

  • bone marrow suppression;

  • anemia (low red blood cells); or

  • if you drink large amounts of alcohol.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, and use your medications properly to control your infection. HIV can be passed to your baby if the virus is not controlled during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on a registry to track any effects of antiviral medicine on the baby.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Because you will receive Retrovir in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Retrovir (oral/injection)?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage or lactic acidosis.

Using Retrovir will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Retrovir (oral/injection) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Mild symptoms of lactic acidosis may worsen over time, and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have: unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, irregular heart rate, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

Retrovir may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath; or

  • liver problems--swelling around your midsection, right-sided upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Retrovir affects your immune system, which may cause certain side effects (even weeks or months after you've used Retrovir). Tell your doctor if you have:

  • signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss;

  • trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye movement, weakness or prickly feeling; or

  • swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence.

Common side effects of Retrovir may include:

  • headache;

  • fever, general ill feeling;

  • cough;

  • nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite; or

  • loss of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, and buttocks).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See more: Retrovir (oral/injection) Side Effects

What other drugs will affect Retrovir (oral/injection)?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

  • doxorubicin;

  • ribavirin;

  • stavudine; or

  • other medicines that contains Retrovir (including combination drugs such as Combivir or Trizivir).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Retrovir, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

More about Retrovir (oral/injection) (Zidovudine (oral/injection) [ zye-doe-vyoo-deen ])

Dosage information
Retrovir (oral/injection) Side Effects
During pregnancy
Retrovir Prescribing Information
Drug images
Side effects
Drug class: Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

Patient resources

Retrovir (Syrup)

Related treatment guides

HIV Infection
Nonoccupational Exposure
Occupational Exposure
Reduction of Perinatal Transmission of HIV
Share this Article
Contents
Uses Warnings Before Taking Dosage Side effects Interactions
Related Drugs
Fidanacogene Elaparvovec
Cerave Anti-Itch
Centrum Adult
Crovalimab
Cyltezo Prefilled Syringe
Zepbound Pen
Mylanta One
Uretron Ds
Medihoney Wound And Burn Dressing
Lidotrode

Other drugs

Name Drug Class Updated
Fidanacogene Elaparvovec Drugs 03-Oct-2024
Cerave Anti-Itch Drugs 02-Oct-2024
Centrum Adult Drugs 02-Oct-2024
Crovalimab Drugs 02-Oct-2024
Cyltezo Prefilled Syringe Drugs 01-Oct-2024
Zepbound Pen Drugs 30-Sep-2024
Mylanta One Drugs 27-Sep-2024
Uretron Ds Drugs 27-Sep-2024
Medihoney Wound And Burn Dressing Drugs 26-Sep-2024
Lidotrode Drugs 26-Sep-2024
Libervant Drugs 26-Sep-2024
Moderna Covid-19 Drugs 25-Sep-2024
Beqvez Drugs 24-Sep-2024
Beqvez Drugs 24-Sep-2024
Beqvez Drugs 24-Sep-2024

Categories

  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health

About US

Welcome to TheMediTary.Com

Our website provides reliable and up-to-date information on various medical topics. We empower individuals to take charge of their health by simplifying complex medical jargon and providing practical tips and advice. We prioritize the privacy and confidentiality of our users and welcome feedback to improve our services.

Website use data of FDA and other sources

DMCA.com Protection Status Truste Protection Status Trust Mark Protection Status
HONcode logo We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.
Quick Link
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • DMCA
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Sitemap
  • Care Notes
  • Health Guide
  • Professional
Drugs
  • New Drugs
  • Medical Answers
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Drug Classes
  • Drug Dosage
  • Pill Identifier
  • Consumer Infor
  • Side Effects
  • Inactive Ingredients
  • Pregnancy Warnings
  • Patient Tips
  • Treatments
News
  • Latest News
  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health
Find US
  • Medium
  • Google Site
  • Blogspot
  • API
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Scoop.it
  • Substack
  • Wordpress
  • Wix
  • Behance

© 2025 TheMediTary.Com All rights reserved. Operated by