ZIDOVUDINE = AZT = ZDV oral

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    Last updated: November 2022

     

    Prescription under medical supervision

     

    Therapeutic action

    • Antiretroviral, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor

    Indications

    • HIV infection, in combination with other antiretrovirals

    Forms and strengths

    • Single formulations:
      • 300 mg tablet
      • 50 mg/5 ml oral solution
    • Fixed-dose combinations with lamivudine (3TC):
      • 300 mg zidovudine/150 mg lamivudine breakable and dispersible tablet
      • 60 mg zidovudine/30 mg lamivudine breakable and dispersible tablet

    Dosage

    The daily dose is administered in 2 divided doses.

    • Child 1 month and over and adult:

     

    Weight

    Daily dose

    		 50 mg/5 ml oral sol.

    300 mg tablet

    or  300 mg AZT/150 mg 3TC  tablet 

    60 mg AZT /30 mg 3TC

    tablet
    3 to < 6 kg 120 mg 6 ml x 2  – 1 tab x 2
    6 to < 10 kg  180 mg 9 ml x 2  – 1 ½ tab x 2
    10 to < 14 kg  240 mg 12 ml x 2  – 2 tab x 2
    14 to < 20 kg 300 mg 15 ml x 2 – 2 ½ tab x 2
    20 to < 25 kg  360 mg 18 ml x 2 – 3 tab x 2
    ≥ 25 kg 600 mg –

    1 tab x 2

    		 –

     

     

    Duration

    • Depending on the efficacy and tolerance of zidovudine.

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Do not administer to patients with severe haematological disorders (leukopenia, anaemia), to neonates with hyperbilirubinaemia or raised transaminases.
    • Administer with caution to patients with hepatic impairment or coinfection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus.
    • May cause:
      • haematological disorders (monitor complete blood count), hepatic disorders (hepatomegaly, raised transaminases), lactic acidosis. In these events, stop zidovudine;
      • gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, diarrhoea, etc.), headache, myopathy.
    • Reduce dosage in patients with severe renal or hepatic impairment.
    • Pregnancy: no contra-indication

    Remarks

    • In neonates, the dosage of zidovudine 50 mg/5 ml (i.e. 10 mg/ml) solution is:
      • preterm < 30 weeks of gestation at birth: 2 mg/kg 2 times daily for 4 weeks then 3 mg/kg 2 times daily for 4 to 6 weeks
      • preterm ≥ 30 to < 35 weeks of gestation at birth: 2 mg/kg 2 times daily for 2 weeks then 3 mg/kg 2 times daily for 4 to 6 weeks
      • full-term ≥ 35 weeks of gestation at birth and under 1 month:
        • 2 to < 3 kg: 1 ml 2 times daily (daily dose: 20 mg)
        • 3 to < 4 kg: 1.5 ml 2 times daily (daily dose: 30 mg)
        • 4 to < 5 kg: 2 ml 2 times daily (daily dose: 40 mg)

     Storage

     
    –  Below 25 °C 
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