Retrovir (Zidovudine) Canada
Description
Retrovir is a brand medication with Zidovudine, which is its generic counterpart. The treatment is effective against HIV when in combination with other drugs. Besides, it is widely used to avert the HIV virus transmission from an infected pregnant mother to a child. A quality antiviral medicine blocks stimulation of the virus expansion, thus, diminishes the risk of its further development, while a range of other pharmaceutical preparations nullifies the HIV symptoms and kills the infection.
Retrovir is available in diverse forms, shapes and strengths. The main types include:
• Injections. It is probably the fastest and the most reliable way to infuse Retrovir into the organism. The sterile variant of treatment contains 10 mg of Zidovudine in each dose and is free of any preservatives.
• Capsules of Retrovir contain 100 mg of an active ingredient, while there are other components, including polyethylene glycol, microcrystalline cellulose, corn starch and others.
• Tablets are used orally, just like capsules. Every single unit contains 300 mg of active Zidovudine and additional ingredients like magnesium stearate, hypromellose, etc.
• Retrovir syrup has the same concentration of Zidovudine as injections, though it is used for oral administration. 10 mg of active ingredients interact with citric acid, sodium benzoate, flavors, glycerin and other components to produce an even stronger effect, preserving a pleasant taste.
Recommendations
First and foremost, take Retrovir as prescribed by the doctor. Do not change the dosage, strength and even recommended type of medication. Do not take a double dose in case you've missed one, contact the healthcare provider and get inevitable information for further actions. Get the injections at hospital, private clinics or doctor’s office. Coordinate all your actions with the professional to avoid undesirable effects.
Precautions and Contraindications
The indispensable step the patient should make before taking Retrovir is to meet his/her healthcare provider. To receive only advantageous results from the medication, it is necessary to consider all the facts, even hypothetical. Do not use this treatment if you are allergic to the active ingredient or any other component of the medication, have experienced kidney or liver problems, take other Zidovudine containing drugs, have low white or red blood cell level, suffer from diabetes or currently have any other health condition. Remember, that one hidden from the doctor fact can lead to adverse outcomes.
Side Effects
Retrovir is reported to be a highly drastic and effective medication, though this fact is not always positive. In case you use the treatment wrong, increase its dosage on your own, take more pills than it was prescribed, you risk experiencing diverse side effects. They range in their complexity, but all of them are rather dangerous and definitely unpleasant. The most common and frequently appearing downsides include:
• Minor ones, like headaches, nausea, constipation, vomiting, appetite loss, fatigue
• Allergic reactions, such as throat, lips, tongue or face swelling, itching, urticaria, difficult breathing, rash, etc.
• More severe conditions, such as constant muscle pains, cramps, signs of infection and liver problems, pancreatitis symptoms
• Lactic acidosis is a threatening complication that can be fatal. Weakness, stomach pain, vomiting, uneven heart rate, difficulty breathing, etc. are its main symptoms.
To prevent such adverse reactions follow simple rules, recommendations and precautions, though in case you have noticed any of the side effects, consult your doctor immediately and get proper medical help.