RETROVIR INJECTION

Who is Retrovir Injection for ?

Your doctor has ordered zidovudine, an antiviral agent, to help treat your infection. The drug will be added to an intravenous fluid that will drip through a needle or catheter placed in your vein for at least 60 minutes every 4 hours. Zidovudine is used alone or with other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in patients with or without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It will slow the spread of HIV infection in the body. Zidovudine is not a cure and may not decrease the number of HIV-related illnesses. Zidovudine does not prevent the spread of HIV to other people. this medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Your health care provider (doctor, nurse, or pharmacist) may measure the effectiveness and side effects of your treatment using laboratory tests and physical examinations. It is important to keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. The length of treatment depends on how your infection and symptoms respond to the medication.

When should I be careful taking Retrovir Injection ?

Zidovudine can cause severe side effects, such as liver damage, blood toxicities, and muscle disorders. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: unusual breathing, shortness of breath, unusual bleeding or bruising, unusual tiredness or weakness, pale skin, fever, chills, sore throat, fatigue, loss of appetite, upset stomach, vomiting, dark urine, yellowing of the skin, pale stools, muscle weakness, lack of strength, or muscle pain. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to zidovudine.

Before administering zidovudine,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to zidovudine or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially acetaminophen, acyclovir (Zovirax), aspirin, cancer chemotherapy, cimetidine (Tagamet), fluconazole (Diflucan), foscarnet (Foscavir), ganciclovir (Cytovene), indomethacin (Indocin), interferon, lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam (Serax), probenecid (Benemid), valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote), and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease, any disease or swelling of the muscles, anemia, a history of alcohol abuse, or bleeding or other blood problems.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking zidovudine, call your doctor.
• tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Side Effects

Side effects from zidovudine are common. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• stomach pain
• diarrhea or loose stools
• constipation
• headache
• dizziness
• sleepiness or difficulty sleeping

If you experience the following symptom, or any of those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• rash