Brand Name:

Retrobiovir^®

Dosage:

100 mg & 300 mg

Generic Name:

Zidovudine

Pharmacotherapeutic Group:

Zidovudine: Antiviral (systemic)

Therapeutic Indication:

• Treatment of initial episodes and management of recurrent episodes of genital herpes in certain patients.
• Acute treatment of herpes zoster (shingles) and chickenpox (varicella).

Dosage and Administration:

Retrobiovir is indicated for the treatment of HIV infection when antiretroviral therapy is warranted.
Retrobiovir is also indicated for the prevention of maternal - fetal HIV transmission.However, transmission to infants may still occur.
Retrobiovir has also been used prophylactically in health care workers at risk of acquiring HIV infection after occupational exposure to the virus. However, HIV infection has occurred in persons who received retrobiovir prophylaxis after a needlestick or other parenteral exposure.

Side Effects:

• Those indicating need for medical attention.
  Anemia (pale skin’ unusual tiredness or weakness); leukopenia or neutropenia (fever, chills, or sore throat)’ changes in platelet count’ hepatotoxicity (abdominal discomfort; nausea; decreased appetite; general feeling of discomfort); lactic acidosis (diarrhea; fast, shallow breathing; muscle pain or cramping; shortness of breath; sleepiness; unusual tiredness or weakness); myopathy (muscular atrophy; tenderness, and weakness); neurotoxicity (confusion; mood or mental changes; seizures).
• Those indicating need for medical attention only if they continue or are bothersome:
• Severe headache; insomnia; myalgia; nausea; changes in skin pigmentation; hyperpigmentation of nails.
• Those indicating need for medical attention if they occur after medication is discontinued:
  bone marrow depression (fever, chills, or sore throat; paleskin; unusual tiredness or weakness.).