What is Retrovir?
Retrovir is a medicine that treats HIV, a virus that can cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome and AIDS. This medicine can also be given to pregnant women to prevent them from transmitting HIV to their babies. This medicine does not treat HIV or AIDS directly.Retrovir can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Retrovir
If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling on your face or in your throat, or a severe reaction to your skin (fever or sore throat, pain in the eyes, or skin irritation), or if your skin has rashes that are red or purple and cause blistering or peeling, seek emergency medical attention.The mild symptoms of lactic acidosis can worsen over time. This condition is fatal. If you experience: unusual muscular pain; difficulty breathing; stomach pain; nausea or dizziness
Retrovir may cause serious side effects. You should call your doctor immediately if:
- Low blood cell counts can be accompanied by fever, chills, and tiredness. They may also include mouth sores or skin sores.
- Liver problems: swelling around the midsection of your body, upper right stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, and clay-colored stools. Jaundice.
Retrovir can affect your immune system and cause side effects. This may occur even weeks or months after using Retrovir. Tell your doctor about:
- Signs of an infection: fever, sweating at night, swollen lymph glands, colds, sores; cough, wheezing; diarrhea; weight loss.
- If you have difficulty speaking or swallowing, have problems with balance, eye movements, or weakness, or feel prickles or prickly, then it could be a sign of a more serious condition.
- Impotence, menstrual changes, swelling of the neck or throat (enlarged thyroid)
Side effects of Retrovir include:
- Headache;
- Fever, a general feeling of being unwell;
- Cough;
- Nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite
- Loss of body fat, especially in the arms, legs, buttocks, and face.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Reaching out to the FDA with any reported adverse events is easy - simply dial 1-800-FDA-1088!
Similar/related drugs
Biktarvy, Descovy, Truvada, Tenofovir, Zidovudine, Emtricitabine, and Atripla
Warnings
You can develop lactic acidosis. This is a dangerous buildup of lactic acid in your blood. If you experience unusual muscle pains, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or vomiting, or have irregular heartbeats or feel cold or weak, you should seek emergency medical attention.Retrovir can reduce blood cells, which help circulate oxygen and fight infection. This drug can also have severe or even life-threatening side effects on the liver.Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms: fever or flu symptoms; unusual fatigue; sores on the mouth; pale skin and hands; pain in the upper stomach; dark urine; or jaundice.
Before you take this drug
Retrovir should not be used if you have an allergy to it.You can develop lactic acidosis. This is a dangerous accumulation of lactic acids in your blood. It may be more common if there are other medical conditions or you've been taking HIV medication for some time. Consult your doctor to determine your risk.Retrovir may also have severe or even life-threatening effects on your liver. Inform your doctor if your liver is affected by liver diseases, especially hepatitis C.
Inform your physician of any of the following issues:
- Kidney disease
- Muscle problems;
- A latex allergy (if you receive a Retrovir injection);
- Bone marrow suppression
- Anemia
- If you consume large quantities of alcohol,
Use your medication properly to control infections. HIV can be transmitted to your child if you do not control the virus during pregnancy. You may have your name listed in a registry that tracks the effects of antiviral medicines on a baby.Breastfeeding is not recommended for women with HIV/AIDS. Even if the baby was born HIV-free, the virus can be transmitted to the infant through your breast milk.
How to take Retrovir?
Read and follow all instructions or guides provided with your medication. Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose. You must take the medication exactly as prescribed.Retrovir oral can be taken orally, often in conjunction with other antiviral medications.An infusion of Retrovir is administered as an injection into a vein. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider if you cannot take the medicine orally.Retrovir oral is taken with or without food.When giving Retrovir to babies, measure the liquid medicine very carefully.Please use either the provided dosing device or an alternative dose-measuring tool (not spoon).Retrovir doses for children are determined by weight. If your child loses or gains weight, the dose needed may change.Retrovir lowers blood cells, which helps your body fight infections and circulate oxygen. You could get an infection or feel more tired than normal. You will need to test your blood often.Read all the instructions and medication guides that you receive. Do not alter your dosage or schedule without consulting your doctor. Each person living with HIV should be under the care and supervision of a physician.Store Retrovir away from moisture, heat, and light at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol can increase the risk of liver damage or lactic acidosis.Retrovir does not stop the spread of your illness. Share razors and toothbrushes. Speak to your doctor about the best ways to prevent HIV from being transmitted during sex. Even healthy people should never share syringes for drugs or medicines.
Interaction with other drug
Tell your doctor about your other medications, including:
- Doxorubicin;
- Ribavirin;
- Stavudine
- Other medicines that contain retrovir (including combinations such as combivir and trizivir)
This list is incomplete. Retrovir may be affected by other drugs, such as vitamins and herbs. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
