What is Retrovir: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

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Retrovir overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Retrovir, Retrovir

Generic Names:

  • Zidovudine

Uses:

  • Treats HIV infection. Also used during childbirth to keep the mother from passing HIV to her baby. This medicine does not cure HIV or AIDS, but combinations of drugs may slow the progress of the disease., Treats HIV infection. This medicine does not cure HIV or AIDS, but combinations of drugs may slow progress of the disease.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antiretroviral Agent, Antiretroviral Agent

Forms:

  • Injectable, Capsule, Liquid, Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth, By injection

What is Retrovir used for?

Retrovir is a prescription medication used to treat patients diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is used together with other HIV medications to lower the amount of virus in the body and keeps it from multiplying. This helps your immune system to function better. Retrovir is also used in pregnant women with HIV as it prevents the virus from passing to the unborn baby.

What form(s) does Retrovir come in

  • Injectable

  • Capsule

  • Liquid

  • Tablet

What are common Retrovir doses?

  • Capsule 100MG

  • Bottle 240ML of 50MG/5ML

Common Retrovir prescriptions

  • Retrovir
    100mg capsule

How to take Retrovir

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

  • Zidovudine is taken with other medicines to treat HIV infection. Take all other medicines your doctor has prescribed as part of your combination treatment.

  • Do not stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. If you stop the medicine even briefly, the virus may become harder to treat. Contact your doctor or pharmacist when your supply is low so you do not run out.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze the oral liquid.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze the oral liquid.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Zidovudine is taken with other medicines to treat HIV infection. Take all other medicines your doctor has prescribed as part of your combination treatment.

  • Do not stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. If you stop the medicine even briefly, the virus may become harder to treat. Contact your doctor or pharmacist when your supply is low so you do not run out.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. The medicine should be given slowly, so the needle will have to stay in place for at least an hour.

  • Missed dose: Injection routeCall your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

  • Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

  • Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. The medicine should be given slowly, so the needle will have to stay in place for at least an hour.

  • Missed dose: Injection routeCall your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

What to do if you miss a dose of Retrovir

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.

  • If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.

  • Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Retrovir contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to zidovudine.

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to zidovudine.

Retrovir warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease (including hepatitis C), blood and bone marrow problems (including anemia), obesity (overweight), or muscle problems.

  • Do not breastfeed. You can spread HIV or AIDS to your baby through your breast milk.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Severe muscle weakness when used for a long timeLactic acidosis (too much lactic acid in the blood)Liver problems

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Your immune system may get stronger when you start taking HIV medicines. This could cause a hidden infection in your body to become active. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your health.

  • This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to others. Always practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles or other items that may have blood or body fluids on them.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you have liver disease (including hepatitis C), kidney disease, blood and bone marrow problems, muscle problems, or an allergy to latex.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Your immune system may get stronger when you start taking HIV medicines. This could cause a hidden infection in your body to become active. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your health.

  • This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to others. Always practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles or other items that may have blood or body fluids on them.

  • Do not breastfeed. You can spread HIV or AIDS to your baby through your breast milk.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Severe muscle weakness when this medicine is used for a long timeLactic acidosis (too much lactic acid in the blood)Liver problems

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

Retrovir interactions

  • Some medicines can affect how zidovudine works. Tell your doctor if you are using dapsone, doxorubicin, flucytosine, ganciclovir, interferon alfa, phenytoin, probenecid, ribavirin, stavudine, valproic acid, vinblastine, vincristine, or medicine that weakens the immune system.

  • Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

  • You should not breastfeed if you have HIV or AIDS, because you may give the infection to your baby through your breast milk.

  • This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to your partner during sex. Make sure you understand and practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles with anyone.

  • Some medicines can affect how zidovudine works. Tell your doctor if you are using dapsone, doxorubicin, fluconazole, flucytosine, ganciclovir, interferon alfa, pyrazinamide, ribavirin, stavudine, valproic acid, or medicine that weakens the immune system.

  • Tell your doctor about all other HIV medicines you are using, especially stavudine (Zerit®).

  • This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to your partner during sex. Make sure you understand and practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles with anyone.

  • Do not breastfeed if you have HIV or AIDS. The infection may be given to your baby through your breast milk.

Retrovir side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Seizures

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, sweating, fast heartbeat

  • Decrease or loss of body fat, especially in the face, arms, legs, or buttocks

  • Extreme muscle weakness or tiredness, muscle or joint pain

  • Fever, chills, cough, mouth sores, body aches

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Dark urine or pale stools, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

  • Rapid or troubled breathing, lightheadedness, severe weakness, tiredness, confusion

  • Rapid or troubled breathing, lightheadedness, severe weakness, tiredness, confusion

  • Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, sweating, fast heartbeat

  • Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Dark urine or pale stools, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

  • Decrease or loss of body fat, especially in the face, arms, legs, or buttocks

  • Extreme muscle weakness or tiredness, muscle or joint pain

  • Fever, chills, sore throat, cough, body aches

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Trouble sleeping

  • Trouble sleeping

  • Mild stomach pain

  • Nausea, vomiting

  • Headache

  • Muscle or joint pain

  • Mild nausea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain

  • Numbness or tingling in the hands, arms, legs, or feet

  • Numbness or tingling in the hands, arms, legs, or feet

  • Changes in the color of your skin, fingernails, or toenails

  • Muscle or joint pain

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