Retrovir (zidovudine) Coupons, Discounts & Cost
Retrovir is an antiviral pharmaceutical agent for use in HIV infection. One way to save money on the Retrovir retail cost regardless of income and insurance status is to use Retrovir coupons or discount cards from RXCoupons. Use this Zidovudine coupon at this online pharmacy and receive up to 75% off the sale price.
What should I know before taking Retrovir?
Retrovir is an antiviral pharmaceutical agent for use in HIV infection. The active substance in this antiviral drug is zidovudine.
Retrovir is an antiviral drug that helps slow the progression of the symptoms of HIV infection. Zidovudine therapy leads to the partial normalization of the haematologic state, which increases the resistance of the patient's body to various dangerous factors (including infections).
Zidovudine is an antiviral drug (analogue of thymidine), which is highly active against retroviruses, including HIV. It acts as an inhibitor and substrate for reverse transcriptase.
Zidovudine is widely used as a component of combination therapy in conjunction with other antiretroviral drugs of the same class or other classes. The drug is partially effective against other viruses: hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr virus and some others.
The drug introduced in the patient's body quickly enters the systemic circulation. Zidovudine crosses most of the tissue barriers. The metabolites are excreted from the body with urine.
What are the main indications for use?
Retrovir indications:
- Treatment of HIV infection as part of complex therapy;
- Prevention of HIV infection in the fetus (if the mother is HIV positive).
It is possible to use Retrovir only after laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis.
What are the main contraindications for use?
Retrovir should not be used in the following cases:
- A sharp decrease in the neutrophil count in the peripheral blood;
- A sudden drop in hemoglobin;
- Individual intolerance.
Retrovir relative contraindications: elderly patients, renal failure, severe hematopoietic suppression, severe anemia.
How should I use Retrovir?
Retrovir dose is selected individually, according to the activity of the hematopoietic system, body weight and other factors. Retrovir capsules can be used regardless of food in an amount of 500 to 600 mg per day.
Parenteral dosage forms: Retrovir is administered intravenously in amounts of 1 to 2 mg per kg of body weight, every 4 hours. The duration is determined by the attending physician, taking into account the effectiveness of Retrovir treatment.
Special patient groups
Adults and adolescents with a body weight of at least 30 kg
The drug is prescribed in a dose of 1 mg/kg every 4 hours.
Children from 3 months to 12 years of age
The recommended dose range is from 80 to 160 mg/m2 of body surface area every 6 hours (320-640 mg/m2/day).
Patients of advanced age
The pharmacokinetics of zidovudine in patients over the age of 65 years has not been studied. However, such patients should be especially careful when using Retrovir (due to the age-related decline in renal function).
Patients with impaired renal function
In case of renal dysfunction, the recommended dose of Retrovir for infusions is 1 mg/kg 3-4 times a day, which corresponds to the recommended daily dose of 300-400 mg for patients in this group. The recommended dose of Retrovir is 100 mg every 6-8 hours for patients in the terminal stage of renal failure or those who are on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
What are the side effects of Retrovir therapy?
Retrovir therapy can lead to the following side effects: anemia, hepatitis, flatulence, skin pigmentation, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal pain, headache, sleep disorders, depressive conditions, weakness, lethargy, drowsiness. Other side effects of Retrovir: inflammation and changes in the airways, urinary retention, heart pain, allergic rash, anaphylactic reactions, metabolic disorders.
Hematopoiesis and lymphatic system: anemia, neutropenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, aplastic anemia. Anemia may occur when taking high doses of the drug (1200-1500 mg/day) and in patients in final stages of HIV infection. As a result, a dose reduction or discontinuation of therapy may be required.
Metabolism: hyperlactatemia, anorexia.
CNS: headache, dizziness, insomnia, paresthesia, drowsiness, convulsions, anxiety, depression.
Cardiovascular system: cardiomyopathy.
Respiratory system: shortness of breath, cough.
Gastrointestinal tract: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, dyspepsia, liver damage, pancreatitis.
Skin: rash, itchy skin, pigmentation of nails and skin, urticaria.
Musculoskeletal system: myalgia, myopathy.
Urinary system: frequent urination.
Endocrine system: gynecomastia.
Retrovir interaction with other drugs
The concentration of phenytoin is reduced when you use Retrovir.
Retrovir should be used with caution with probenecid and other drugs metabolized in the liver (indomethacin, codeine, acetylsalicylic acid, cimetidine, dapsone).
The bioavailability of Retrovir is reduced when you use clarithromycin.
It is contraindicated to combine Retrovir with ribavirin.