Retrovir

If you develop a blood disease, you may require a blood transfusion, and your doctor may reduce your dose or take you off the drug altogether. Make sure your doctor monitors your blood count on a regular basis.

The use of Retrovir has not been shown to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination or to nursing infants.

Retrovir should be used with extreme caution by people who have a bone marrow disease.

Some people taking Retrovir develop a sensitization reaction, often signaled by a rash. If you notice a rash developing, notify your doctor.

Contact your doctor immediately if you develop shortness of breath, muscle weakness, abdominal pain, or any unexpected problems while being treated with Retrovir.

Because little data are available concerning the use of this drug in people with impaired kidney or liver function, check with your doctor before using Retrovir if you have either problem.

Like other HIV drugs, Retrovir sometimes causes a redistribution of body fat, resulting in added weight around the waist, a "buffalo hump" of fat on the upper back, breast enlargement, and wasting of the face, arms, and legs. It's not known why this occurs, or what long-term effects it might have.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Retrovir

If Retrovir is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Retrovir with the following:

Atovaquone (Mepron)
Doxorubicin (Adriamycin, a cancer drug)
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Ganciclovir (Cytovene)
Interferon (Intron A, Roferon-A)
Methadone
Nelfinavir (Viracept)
Phenytoin (Dilantin, a seizure medication)
Probenecid (Benemid, an antigout drug)
Ribavirin (Virazole)
Rifampin (Rifadin)
Ritonavir (Norvir)
Stavudine (Zerit)
Valproic acid (Depakene, a seizure medication)

Do not take Retrovir with Combivir or Trizivir, which contain the same active ingredient.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The effects of Retrovir during pregnancy are under study. Use during pregnancy has been shown to protect the developing baby from contracting HIV. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.

Since HIV can be passed on through breast milk to a nursing infant, do not breastfeed your baby.