Common use

Retrovir is an antiviral medicine used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medicine is also given during pregnancy to prevent an HIV-infected woman from passing the virus to her baby.

Dosage and direction

Follow all directions on your prescription. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Retrovir oral is taken by mouth, usually in combination with other antiviral medications. Retrovir oral can be taken with or without food.

Precautions

Tell your doctor if you have ever had: kidney disease; muscle problems; a latex allergy (if you receive Retrovir injection); bone marrow suppression; anemia (low red blood cells); or if you drink large amounts of alcohol.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, and use your medications properly to control your infection. HIV can be passed to your baby if the virus is not controlled during pregnancy.
Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

Contraindications

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Get emergency medical help if you have unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeats, dizziness, vomiting, or if you feel cold, tired, or very weak.
You should not use Retrovir if you are allergic to it.
Retrovir can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, especially hepatitis C.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage or lactic acidosis.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).
Retrovir may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have: low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath; or liver problems--swelling around your midsection, right-sided upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common side effects of Retrovir may include: headache; fever, general ill feeling; cough; nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite; or loss of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, and buttocks).

Drug interaction

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially: doxorubicin; ribavirin; stavudine; or other medicines that contains Retrovir (including combination drugs such as Combivir or Trizivir).

Missed dose

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store Retrovir at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep away from children and pets.