Description
Retrovir is used for treatment of HIV infection when used along with other medicines. It is also used with other medicines to help prevent women from passing the HIV virus to the fetus during pregnancy.

How to Use
Use Retrovir as directed by your doctor. To avoid stomach upset take Retrovir with a meal.

Warnings/Precautions
Before taking Retrovir, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if you have allergies to medicines, foods or other substances, if you are allergic to any ingredient in Retrovir, if you have bone marrow problems, low white blood cell levels, have liver or kidney problems, you are very overweight, if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast–feeding. If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Retrovir during pregnancy. Retrovir is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast–feed while taking Retrovir. HIV–infected mothers should not breast–feed their infants because of the risk of transmitting the HIV infection or Retrovir. Some medicines may interact with Retrovir. Therefore tell your doctor of all prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement that you are taking. Do not take Retrovir if you have high lactic acid levels in the blood, or you taking doxorubicin, ribavirin, stavudine, or any medicine that contains zidovudine. Retrovir may lower your body's ability to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or other infections. Contact your doctor if any signs of infection occur, such as fever, sore throat, rash, or chills. Retrovir does not cure HIV infection. You may also still have infections or other illnesses that occur along with HIV. Remain under the care of your doctor. Retrovir does not prevent you from giving HIV to other people through contact with blood or through sex. Use a barrier form of birth control (e.g., condoms) if you have HIV. Do not share needles, other injection supplies, or personal items (e.g., toothbrush, razor). Changes in body fat (e.g., an increased amount of fat in the upper back, neck, breast, and trunk, and loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face) may occur in some patients taking Retrovir. The cause and long–term effects of these changes are unknown. Discuss any concerns with your doctor. Retrovir may not always prevent pregnant women from passing the HIV virus to the fetus. It is unknown how Retrovir may affect the baby later in life. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

Missed Dose
If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Possible Side Effects
Some of the possible side effects are – headache, loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, vomiting. Contact your doctor if any of these or other side effects occur. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should seek medical attention immediately – allergic reactions (rash, hives, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue), chills, dark urine, drowsiness, fast breathing, fever, muscle pain or aches, red, swollen, or blistered skin, seizures, shortness of breath, sore throat, stomach pain, unusual tiredness or weakness, yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Storage
Store Retrovir as directed by your doctor. Keep Retrovir out of the reach of children.

Overdose
If overdose is suspected seek medical attention immediately. Some of the symptoms of Retrovir overdose are – severe or persistent headache, tiredness, vomiting.

More Information
Retrovir may cause dizziness. These effects may worsen if Retrovir is taken with alcohol or certain other medications. Use Retrovir with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to this drug. If your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen, contact your doctor. Retrovir should be used only by the patient for whom it has been prescribed. Do not take less or more or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Disclaimer
This is only general information, it does not cover all directions, drug integrations or precautions. You should not rely on it for any purpose; it does not contain any specific instructions for a particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information. We`re not responsible for any damage.