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Proper Use
Patient information sheets about zidovudine are available. Read this information carefully.
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Also, do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor first.
Keep taking zidovudine for the full time of treatment , even if you begin to feel better.
For patients 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 medicine 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 medicine, check with your health care professional.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For HIV infection:
- For oral dosage forms (capsules, oral solution, and tablets):
- Adults—600 milligrams (mg) a day in divided doses in combination with other anti-virus medicine.
- Children 6 weeks of age and above—Dose is based on body weight or body size and must be determined by your child's doctor. The recommended dose is 480 milligrams per square meter of body surface area (mg/m²) a day in divided doses. Zidovudine is given in combination with other anti-virus medicine.
- For oral dosage forms (capsules, oral solution, and tablets):
- To help prevent pregnant women from passing HIV to their babies during pregnancy and at birth:
- For oral dosage form (capsules):
- 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 dosage form (oral solution):
- 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 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 oral dosage form (capsules):
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, 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
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
