zidovudine at a glance
Medicine class
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)
Main role
Combination antiretroviral treatment of HIV in adults and children
Available forms
Capsules, oral solution and an intravenous concentrate for hospital use
Important monitoring
Regular blood counts because anaemia and reduced white blood cells can occur
What is zidovudine used for?
Selected UK products are licensed for:
HIV infection in adults and children as part of combination antiretroviral therapy.
Reducing maternal-to-baby HIV transmission during pregnancy and prophylaxis for exposed newborn infants.
Short-term intravenous management of serious HIV manifestations when oral zidovudine cannot be taken; monotherapy should be avoided where possible.
How does zidovudine work?
Inside cells, zidovudine is converted to an active form that competes with natural building blocks used by HIV reverse transcriptase. It terminates the growing viral DNA chain, limiting viral replication.
zidovudine preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 100 mg, 250 mg
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 100 mg/10 mL
How to take zidovudine
Follow instructions from the specialist HIV team and do not stop treatment without advice.
Swallow capsules whole with water.
Measure oral solution accurately with the supplied oral syringe. Place its tip against the inside of the cheek and press the plunger slowly to reduce choking risk.
Wash and dry the oral syringe and adaptor after use, then close the bottle tightly.
The intravenous concentrate must be diluted and administered by healthcare professionals. It must not be injected into muscle.
zidovudine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea or abdominal pain
- Dizziness
- Muscle aches or feeling generally unwell
- Anaemia or reduced white blood cells
- Raised liver enzymes or bilirubin
Get urgent medical advice
- Lactic acidosis
- Severe anaemia or bone-marrow suppression
- Liver disease or pancreatitis
- Chest pain, cardiomyopathy or seizures
- Loss of fat from the face, limbs or buttocks, which may not be fully reversible
- New inflammatory or infection symptoms associated with immune reactivation
zidovudine in pregnancy
Zidovudine can be used during pregnancy when clinically needed. Extensive human data show no evidence of malformative toxicity. Treatment and monitoring should be managed by a specialist HIV and maternity team; do not stop prescribed treatment without advice.
zidovudine while breastfeeding
Zidovudine passes into breast milk, and HIV can also be transmitted through breastfeeding. Formula feeding remains the safest UK option. Someone with sustained viral suppression who wishes to breastfeed should discuss this early with their specialist team because close maternal and infant monitoring is required.
zidovudine interactions
Check prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products with the HIV team or pharmacist. Important examples include:
Rifampicin
Can substantially reduce zidovudine exposure and potentially reduce effectiveness; concomitant use should be avoided.
Stavudine
Has an antagonistic antiviral interaction with zidovudine, so concomitant use should be avoided.
Ribavirin
Increases the risk of anaemia; concomitant use is not recommended.
Probenecid
Raises zidovudine exposure and requires closer monitoring for blood toxicity.
Common questions about zidovudine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is zidovudine used on its own for HIV?
Usually not. It is licensed as part of combination antiretroviral therapy, and intravenous monotherapy should also be avoided where possible.
Does zidovudine cure HIV?
No. It limits HIV replication and helps control infection but does not eradicate the virus.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.