Description
Details
Uses
Zidovudine is used in combination with other antiretroviral (ART) medicines for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. Zidovudine is also indicated for use in HIV-positive pregnant (over 14 weeks) women for prevention of maternal-fetal HIV transmission (passing of infection), and for primary preventive treatment of HIV infection in new-born infants.
How it works
Zidovudine belongs to a group of medications called nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), also known as antiretrovirals. Zidovudine does not cure HIV infection; it reduces the amount of viruses in the body by inhibiting the enzyme (viral reverse transcriptase) which is essential for the virus to grow. Further, zidovudine also increases some white blood cells (CD4 cells) of the body that are important in fighting infections.
Common side effects
a life-threatening side-effect, raised blood levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin, and malaise . Rarely, leucopenia, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly may occur, diarrhea, dizziness, myalgia, neutropenia, or obesity especially women., and is more likely in patients with liver disease, headache, myopathy, Anemia
