Zidovudine

Zidovudine

zidovudine (zy-DOH-vyoo-DEEN) is a drug that inhibits the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. It is a type of systemic antiviral. Also called AZT.

Information about Zidovudine

Zidovudine is a nucleoside analogue and reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in combination with other agents in the therapy and prophylaxis of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Liver safety of Zidovudine

Zidovudine is a rare, but well established cause of clinically apparent liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Zidovudine

Zidovudine (zye doe' vue deen) is a synthetic analogue of thymidine (3’-azido-3’- deoxythymidine: AZT) that is phosphorylated intracellularly and then acts in competing with the natural substrate, thymidine triphosphate, for incorporation into growing HIV DNA chain causing inhibition of the viral reverse transcriptase and chain termination.

AZT pills

AZT pills

History of Zidovudine

Zidovudine was the first antiretroviral agent that was approved for use in treating HIV infection in the United States [1987] and was subsequently frequently used in antiretroviral regimens for many years. Recently, zidovudine has been replaced by better tolerated nucleoside analogues and it is no longer commonly used in developed countries.

Zidovudine is currently indicated for the treatment of HIV infection in combination with other HIV medications such as lamivudine and abacavir.

Zidovudine-3D-balls

Zidovudine-3D-balls

Dosage and administration for Zidovudine

Zidovudine is available as a single agent in multiple generic forms and under the trade name Retrovir in 100 mg capsules, 300 mg tablets, and as an oral syrup; in combination with lamivudine as Combivir; and in combination with abacavir and lamivudine as Trizivir. The recommended dose of zidovudine in adults is 600 mg orally, daily or 1 mg/kg every 4 hours.

Side effects of Zidovudine

Common side effects include asthenia, constipation, headache, insomnia, loss of appetite, malaise, nausea, and vomiting.

Antiviral agents

Drugs for HIV Infection, in the Subclass Antiretroviral Agents

• Fusion Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Enfuvirtide, Maraviroc

• Integrase Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Dolutegravir, Elvitegravir, Raltegravir

• Monoclonal Antibodies
  • Ibalizumab

• Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Delavirdine, Efavirenz, Etravirine, Nevirapine, Rilpivirine

• Nucleoside Analogues (HIV)
  • Abacavir, Didanosine, Emtricitabine, Lamivudine, Stavudine, Tenofovir, Zidovudine

• Protease Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Amprenavir, Atazanavir, Darunavir, Fosamprenavir, Indinavir, Lopinavir, Nelfinavir,Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Tipranavir

Drugs for Hepatitis B

• • Alpha Interferon, Adefovir, Emtricitabine, Entecavir, Lamivudine, Telbivudine, Tenofovir

Drugs for Hepatitis C

• Interferon Based Therapies
  • Alpha Interferon and Peginterferon, Ribavirin

HCV NS5A Inhibitors

• Daclatasvir, Elbasvir, Ledipasvir, Ombitasvir, Pibrentasvir, Velpatasvir

HCV NS5B (Polymerase) Inhibitors

• Dasabuvir, Sofosbuvir

HCV Protease Inhibitors

• Asunaprevir, Boceprevir, Glecaprevir, Grazoprevir, Paritaprevir, Simeprevir, Telaprevir, Voxilaprevir

Combination Therapies

• Epclusa, Harvoni, Mavyret, Technive, Viekira Pak, Vosevi, Zepatier

Drugs for Herpes Virus Infections (HSV, CMV, others)

• Acyclovir, Cidofovir, Famciclovir, Foscarnet, Ganciclovir, Valacyclovir, Valganciclovir

Drugs for Influenza

• Amantadine, Oseltamivir, Peramivir, Rimantadine, Zanamivir

• Dailymed label info on Zidovudine
• FDA Zidovudine