Pregnancy Risk Category C
How supplied
Capsules: 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg
Oral solution: 1 mg/ml
Action
A thymidine nucleoside analogue that prevents replication of retroviruses, including HIV, by inhibiting the enzyme reverse transcriptase and causing termination of DNA chain growth.
Indications & dosage
HIV-infected patients who have received prolonged prior zidovudine therapy-
Adults weighing 60 kg (132 lb) or more: 40 mg P.O. q 12 hours.
Adults under 60 kg: 30 mg P.O. q 12 hours.
Children: 2 mg/kg/day P.O. in divided doses q 12 hours for children under 30 kg (66 lb); adult dose should be used for children 30 kg or more.
Adjust-a-dose: For patients with renal impairment, if creatinine clearance is 26 to 50 ml/minute, 20 mg (if weight exceeds 60 kg) or 15 mg (if weight is below 60 kg) P.O. q 12 hours; if creatinine clearance is 10 to 25 ml/minute, 20 mg (if weight exceeds 60 kg) or 15 mg (if weight is below 60 kg) P.O. q 24 hours.
Adverse reactions
CNS: peripheral neuropathy, headache, malaise, insomnia, anxiety, asthenia, depression, nervousness, dizziness.
CV: chest pain.
EENT: conjunctivitis.
GI: abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, dyspepsia, constipation, weight loss, pancreatitis.
Hematologic: neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, increased AST and ALT levels.
Hepatic: hepatotoxicity.
Musculoskeletal: arthralgia, myalgia, back pain.
Respiratory: dyspnea.
Skin: rash, diaphoresis, pruritus, maculopapular rash.
Other: chills, fever
Interactions
None significant.
Effects on diagnostic tests
None reported.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to drug.
Nursing considerations
Patient teaching
*Liquid contains alcohol. **May contain tartrazine. †Canada ‡Australia §U.K. OTCOver the counter
Reactions may be common, uncommon, life-threatening, or COMMON AND LIFE-THREATENING