Adult Dosing
Treatment of HIV infection
- Recommended dose: 200 mg PO q8 hrs; Alt: 300 mg PO q12 hrs
Prevention of maternal-fetal HIV transmission
- Pregnant women: Begin treatment between 14 and 34 wks gestation
- Until the start of labor, give 100 mg PO 5 times per day
- During labor and delivery, administer 2 mg/kg IV infused over 1 hr, then administer a continuous IV infusion of 1 mg/kg/hr until the umbilical cord is clamped
- Term neonates: Within 12 hrs after birth, start 2 mg/kg oral syrup q6 hrs continuing through 6 wks of age; those unable to receive oral dosing may be given 1.5 mg/kg IV, infused over 30 minutes, q6 hrs (convert to oral syrup as soon as possible)
Pediatric Dosing
Treatment of HIV infection
- Children 4 wks to <18 yrs: Calculate appropriate dose based on body weight (kg)
- 4 to <9 kg: 24 mg/kg/day PO divided q8-12 hrs
9 to <30 kg: 18 mg/kg/day PO divided q8-12 hrs- 30 kg: 200 mg PO q8 hrs or 300 mg PO q12 hrs
Note:
- Use syrup form to provide accurate dosage when whole tablets or capsules are not appropriate
- Alternatively, dosing can be based on body surface area (BSA) for each child; recommended dose is 480 mg/m2/day PO divided q8-12 hrs
Prevention of HIV infection (Non-FDA approved)
Premature neonates (<30 wks gestation)
- 4 mg/kg/day PO divided q12 hrs x 4 wks, then 6 mg/kg/day PO div q8 hrs; initiate therapy within 12 hrs after birth
Premature neonates (>30 wks gestation)
- 4 mg/kg/day PO divided q12 hrs x 2 wks, then 6 mg/kg/day PO div q8 hrs; initiate therapy within 12 hrs after birth
[Outline]
Renal Dose Adjustment (Based on CrCl)
- <15 mL/min: 100 mg PO q6-8 hrs
Hepatic Dose Adjustment
- Hepatic impairment: Dose adjustments not defined; consider dose reduction
See Supplemental Patient Information
- Therapy may cause hematologic toxicity including neutropenia and severe anemia, particularly in patients with advanced HIV-1 infection [US Black Box Warning]
- Therapy may cause lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, when used alone or in combination with other antiretrovirals. Risk factors include obesity and prolonged exposure to antiretroviral nucleoside analogues. Discontinue therapy if clinical or laboratory findings suggestive of lactic acidosis or significant hepatotoxicity occur [US Black Box Warning]
- Administer therapy cautiously in patients who have bone marrow compromise evidenced by granulocyte count <1,000 cells/mm3 or hemoglobin <9.5 g/dL
- Profound anemia, requiring dose adjustment, therapy discontinuation, and/or blood transfusions, has been reported during zidovudine therapy alone or in combination with other antiretrovirals
- Periodic blood counts are strongly recommended to detect severe anemia or neutropenia in HIV-infected individuals receiving zidovudine therapy, particularly those with advanced HIV disease. Consider dosage interruption if anemia or neutropenia develops
- Symptomatic myopathy and myositis have been associated with prolonged use of zidovudine [US Black Box Warning]
- Hepatic decompensation, sometimes fatal, has occurred in HIV-1/HCV co-infected patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV and interferon alfa with or without ribavirin. Closely monitor such patients for treatment-associated toxicities, especially hepatic decompensation, neutropenia, and anemia. Consider discontinuation of zidovudine as medically appropriate
- Dose reduction is recommended in patients with severely impaired renal function
- Immune reconstitution syndrome may occur in patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, including zidovudine. Autoimmune disorders have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reconstitution
- Avoid concomitant administration with other combination products that contain zidovudine as one of their components
Cautions: Use cautiously in
- Severe renal impairment
- Advanced HIV disease
- Hepatic impairment
- Hepatic disease risk
- Obesity
- Female patients
- Long-term nucleoside treatment
Supplemental Patient Information
- Inform patients that zidovudine is not a cure for HIV-1 infection and they may continue to experience illnesses associated with HIV infection such as opportunistic infections. Advise patients to seek medical help for any significant health changes
- Advise HIV-infected mothers not to breastfeed their infants due to the risk of HIV transmission
Pregnancy Category:C
Breastfeeding: Unsafe; women with HIV infection should not breastfeed their infants. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 25 January 2011).The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that HIV-infected mothers should not breastfeed their infants to avoid risking postnatal transmission of HIV-1 infection. As per manufacturer's data, HIV-infected mothers should be instructed not to breastfeed their infants during zidovudine therapy.
Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.
- Retrovir 300 MG TABS [Bottle] (VIIV HEALTHCARE)
60 mg = $479.97
180 mg = $1439.9 - Retrovir 100 MG CAPS [Bottle] (VIIV HEALTHCARE)
180 mg = $520.99
540 mg = $1533.95
Warning: This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.
Drug Name: Retrovir 100 MG Oral Capsule
Pill Image:
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See full size image]
Ingredient(s): Zidovudine
Imprint: Wellcome;Y9C;100
Color(s): White
Shape: Capsule
Size (mm): 16.00
Score: 1
Inactive Ingredient(s): starch, corn / magnesium stearate / cellulose, microcrystalline / sodium starch glycolate type a potato / ferric oxide black / dimethicone / gelatin / shellac / lecithin, soybean / titanium dioxide
Drug Label Author:
GlaxoSmithKline LLC
DEA Schedule:
Non-Scheduled
Drug Name: Retrovir 300 MG Oral Tablet
Pill Image:
[
See full size image]
Ingredient(s): Zidovudine
Imprint: GX;CW3;300
Color(s): White
Shape: Round
Size (mm): 10.00
Score: 1
Inactive Ingredient(s): hypromellose / magnesium stearate / cellulose, microcrystalline / polyethylene glycol / sodium starch glycolate type a potato / titanium dioxide
Drug Label Author:
GlaxoSmithKline LLC
DEA Schedule:
Non-Scheduled
