What is the most important information I should know about Retrovir?

• Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, a pancreas disorder, or problems with your muscles.
• Retrovir can lower the blood cells in your body that help you fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
• Call your doctor at once if you have liver problems while you are using Retrovir. Symptoms to watch for include stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, low fever, lost appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
• Call your doctor at once if you have muscle pain or weakness, numbness or tingling in any part of your body, and nausea with vomiting. These could be signs of lactic acidosis.

What is Retrovir?

• Retrovir is an antiviral medication. It is in a group of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medicines called reverse transcriptase inhibitors. This medication helps keep the HIV virus from reproducing in the body.
• Retrovir is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Retrovir is also given during pregnancy to prevent an HIV-infected woman from passing the virus to her baby. This medication is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
• Retrovir may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Retrovir?

• Before taking Retrovir, tell your doctor if you have:
  • kidney disease;
  • liver disease;
  • hepatitis C;
  • pancreatitis; or
  • bone marrow suppression.
• If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may not be able to use Retrovir or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
• Retrovir is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known if it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It is very important to treat HIV/ AIDS during pregnancy to reduce the risk of infecting the baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
• It is not known whether Retrovir passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus to the baby in your breast milk.

How should I take Retrovir?

• Take Retrovir exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not use more of the medication than recommended. Do not take Retrovir for longer than your doctor has prescribed.
• Retrovir tablets, capsules, or syrup can be taken with or without food.
• To be sure you get the correct dose of Retrovir syrup, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
• Retrovir IV (intravenous) is given as an injection into a vein. The medicine must be injected slowly and is usually given 5 to 6 times daily. Your IV needle may be left in place during the entire time you are receiving this medicine by injection. Retrovir injection should be used only until you are able to take the tablet, capsule, or syrup form of this medicine.
• If you will use this medicine at home, your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will give you specific instructions on how to use an IV. Do not give yourself an injection if you do not understand these instructions. Call your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for help with injection instructions.
• Use each needle and syringe only one time. With your medicine you will receive a puncture-proof container for used needles and syringes. If you do not receive a container, ask your pharmacist for one. Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets. Your pharmacist can tell you how to properly dispose of the container properly.
• Treatment of HIV/ AIDS almost always requires using many medicines together. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
• Retrovir can lower the blood cells in your body that help you fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
• Store Retrovir at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
• Retrovir injection must be diluted (mixed) before it is given in the IV. After mixing the medication, you may store it at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Use the mixture within 8 hours if it is kept at room temperature, or within 24 hours if refrigerated.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
• Symptoms of a Retrovir overdose may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, confusion, and seizures.

What should I avoid while taking Retrovir?

• Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes. Taking this medication will not keep you from passing HIV to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

What are the possible side effects of Retrovir?

• Stop using this medication and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor at once if you have any problems with your liver while you are using Retrovir. Symptoms to watch for include stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, low fever, lost appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
• Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:
  • lactic acidosis — muscle pain or weakness, numb or tingly feeling, and nausea with vomiting;
  • signs of a new infection — fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
  • easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, pale skin;
  • white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.
• Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk with your doctor if you have any of these side effects:
  • changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk);
  • headache, sleep problems (insomnia);
  • mild nausea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain;
  • pain or irritation where you injected the medication;
  • eye twitching or uncontrollable movements; or
  • lack of balance or coordination.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Retrovir?

• Do not use Retrovir together with other combination drugs that contain Retrovir, such as Combivir or Trizivir.
• Before taking Retrovir, tell your doctor if you are also using:
  • stavudine (Zerit);
  • doxorubicin (Adriamycin);
  • ganciclovir (Cytovene);
  • interferon-alfa (Roferon, Intron, Rebetron);
  • phenytoin (Dilantin); or
  • ribavirin (Rebetol, Ribasphere, Copegus Virazole).
• There may be other drugs that can affect Retrovir. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.