MedicinerestrictedEssential

Zidovudine

An antiretroviral used with other HIV medicines (here combined with lamivudine) to treat HIV-1 infection.

Clinical information

Common uses

treating HIV-1 infection, in combination with other antiretrovirals

Common side effects

headache
feeling sick
tiredness and generally feeling unwell
diarrhoea
cough

Cautions

serious blood problems (severe anaemia, low white cells) — boxed warning
muscle damage (myopathy) with prolonged use — boxed warning
lactic acidosis and severe liver problems, sometimes fatal — boxed warning
hepatitis B can flare when stopping treatment in co-infected people

Interactions

ribavirin — worsens anaemia; avoid together
interferon alfa — liver failure risk in hepatitis C co-infection
bone marrow suppressive or cytotoxic drugs — more blood toxicity
drugs antagonistic to zidovudine — avoid
sorbitol — lowers lamivudine levels; avoid chronic use together

Pregnancy: registry data show no increased risk of birth defects

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, lamivudine and zidovudine label, setid e816e8f5-1e50-4f49-8bea-92da0121d26e (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations7

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Zidovudine	Tablet	100mg	—	restricted
Zidovudine	Oral Liquid	10 mg/ml	—	restricted
Zidovudine/ Azidothymidine	Oral Liquid	50mg/5ml	—	restricted
Zidovudine/ Azidothymidine	Parenteral ( Injection )	10mg/ml	—	hospital
Zidovudine/ Azidothymidine	Tablet	300 mg	—	restricted
Zidovudine/ Azidothymidine	Capsule	100 mg	—	restricted
Zidovudine/ Azidothymidine	Capsule	250 mg	—	restricted