On this page
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