Zidovudine may be marketed under the name Retrovir, but generic versions are also available. It is taken in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.

You should not take zidovudine with the following drugs: ganciclovir injections, ribavirin, rifampicin, stavudine.

Close monitoring or dose adjustment is needed if zidovudine is taken with the antibiotic clarithromycin or phenytoin, a drug used to treat epilepsy.

Several other types of drugs, when taken with zidovudine, can cause an increase in side-effects, so it is important to talk to your doctor about any other drugs you are taking. These include, but are not limited to, methadone and drugs to treat infections, cancer and malaria.

Blood disorders, lipodystrophy, lactic acidosis, liver problems, pancreatitis.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, generally feeling unwell, stomach pains, fatigue, headache, dizziness, weakness, muscle pain, loss of appetite.

Can be taken with or without food, but taking the dose with food reduces nausea.

The usual adult dose of zidovudine is 250mg twice a day. It is available as a generic drug so appearances will vary.  Zidovudine is also available in a combination tablet with lamivudine.