Brand Names

How to Use

Patient information sheets about zidovudine are available. Read this information carefully.

Take this drug exactly as directed by your family doctor . Do not take more of it, do not take it more often and do not take it for a longer time than your family doctor ordered. Always do not stop taking this drug without checking with your family doctor first.

Keep taking zidovudine for the full time of treat , even if you begin to feel better.

For diseaseds using zidovudine oral solution :

• Use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

This drug works best when there is a constant amount in the blood To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses . If you need help in planning the best times to take your drug, check with your health care professional.

Dosage

• For the treat of HIV infection:
  • For oral dosage forms - capsules, oral solution and tablets:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older 600 milligrams - mg a day in divided doses in combination with other anti-virus drug.
    • Children 6 weeks to 12 years of age Dose is based on body weight or body size and must be determined by your family doctor. Zidovudine is given in combination with other anti-virus drug.
  • For injection dosage form:
    • Adults and teenagers Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your family doctor. The usual dose is 1 to 2 mg per kilogram - kg - 0.45 to 0.9 mg per pound of body weight, injected slowly into a vein every four hours five to six times a day. The injection dosage form is given until you can take zidovudine by mouth.
    • Children 3 months to 12 years of age Dose is based on body weight or body size and must be determined by your family doctor.
• To help prevent pregnant women from passing HIV to their babies during pregnancy and at birth:
  • For capsule dosage form:
    • Pregnant women - after 14 weeks of pregnancy, up to the start of labor 100 milligrams - mg five times a day, 200 mg every eight hours, or 300 mg every twelve hours until the start of labor.
  • For oral solution dosage form:
    • Pregnant women - after 14 weeks of pregnancy, up to the start of labor 100 milligrams - mg five times a day, 200 mg every eight hours, or 300 mg every twelve hours until the start of labor.
    • Newborn infants Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your family doctor. The usual dose of oral solution is 2 mg per kilogram - kg - 0.9 mg per pound of body weight every six hours starting within eight to twelve hours of birth and continuing through six weeks of age.
  • For injection dosage form:
    • Pregnant women - during labor and delivery Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your family doctor. The usual dose is 2 milligrams - mg per kilogram - kg - 0.9 mg per pound of body weight infusing into a vein over the first hour, followed by 1 mg per kg - 0.45 mg per pound of body weight infusing into a vein each hour until the umbilical cord is clamped.
    • Newborn infants If the infant is unable to receive zidovudine oral solution, the injection form may be using instead. Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your family doctor. The usual dose is 1.5 mg per kilogram - kg - 0.7 mg per pound of body weight every six hours.

Missed dose If you do miss a dose of this drug, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store capsule in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.