Zidovudine (Oral Route)

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common
  • Fever, chills, or sore throat
  • Pale skin
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Confusion
  • Convulsions (seizures)
  • Diarrhea
  • Fast, shallow breathing
  • General feeling of discomfort
  • Loss of appetite
  • Mood or mental changes
  • Muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, or cramping
  • Nausea
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sleepiness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common
  • Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
  • General feeling of discomfort or illness
  • Headache (severe)
  • Lack or loss of strength
  • Muscle soreness
  • Nausea
  • Trouble in sleeping
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss
Less common
  • Bluish-brown colored bands on nails
  • Changes in skin color
Incidence not known
  • Acid or sour stomach
  • Belching
  • Burning, tingling, numbness or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
  • Heartburn
  • Indigestion
  • Muscle or bone pain
  • Sensation of pins and needles, stabbing pain
  • Stomach cramps
  • Stomach pain
  • Yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Precautions

DR601439

Portions of this document last updated:

Nov. 1, 2009

Source: Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

Copyright © 2009 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.


Text Size: smaller largerlarger