Zidovudine is available as a 10-mg/mL concentrate for injection in 20-mL single-dose vials.1673 Each mL of the concentrate contains zidovudine 10 mg in water for injection with hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH.1673 The concentrate must be diluted in dextrose 5% to a concentration no greater than 4 mg/mL prior to administration.1673
pH
Approximately 5.5.1673
Trade Name(s)
Retrovir
Zidovudine is administered by intermittent or continuous intravenous infusion following dilution.1673 Rapid intravenous infusion or bolus injection should be avoided.1673 For intermittent intravenous infusion in adults, the dose should be administered at a constant rate over 1 hour.1673 In neonates, the dose should be infused over 30 minutes.1673 Zidovudine also is administered by continuous intravenous infusion in adults during labor and delivery at a rate of 1 mg/kg per hour.1673 Do not administer by intramuscular injection1673
Intact vials of zidovudine should be stored at 15 to 25°C and protected from light.1673
Diluted solutions are stated to be stable for 24 hours at room temperature or 48 hours refrigerated at 2 to 8°C.1673 However, because the solution contains no antimicrobial preservative, the manufacturer recommends the solution be administered within 8 hours if stored at 25°C or 24 hours if stored at 2 to 8°C.1673
Central Venous Catheter
Zidovudine (Glaxo Wellcome) 1 mg/mL in dextrose 5% was found to be compatible with the ARROWg+ard Blue Plus (Arrow International) chlorhexidine-bearing triple-lumen central catheter. Essentially complete delivery of the drug was found with little or no drug loss occurring. Furthermore, chlorhexidine delivered from the catheter remained at trace amounts with no substantial increase due to the delivery of the drug through the catheter.2335
For a list of references cited in the text of this monograph, search the monograph titled References.