Prototype Drug Unit 5 & 7- Zidovudine

Question 1

Therapeutic classification

Answer 1

Antiretroviral

Question 2

Pharmacologic classfication

Answer 2

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor

Question 3

Therapeutic effects and uses

Answer 3

Used for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with HIV infections. Because of the high resistance to the drug it is often mixed with other drugs

Question 4

Mechanism of action

Answer 4

Instead of using thymine to help make DNA the strand picks up the zidovudine and it stopped the making of the DNA

Question 5

Adverse effects

Answer 5

Fatigue, generalized weakness, myalgia, nausea, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia, rash, sleep disorders

Question 6

Black Box Warning

Answer 6

Cases of fatal lactic acidosis with severe hepatomegaly and steatosis have been reported. Bone marrow suppression may cause neutropenia or severe anemia. Myopathy may occur when used for a long time

Question 7

Contraindications

Answer 7

Be careful with patients who have anemia or neutropenia, renal or hepatic impairment, don’t breast feed with it.

Question 8

Drug interactions

Answer 8

Other drugs that depress bone marrow function (Ganiciclovir, interferon-alfa, etc.) Stavudine, ribavirin, and doxorubicin compete for activation sites. Probenecid, fluconazole, atovaquone, valproic acid, amphotericin B, and aspirin increase blood levels. Other antiretroviral drugs may cause lactic acidosis and hepatmegaly.

Question 9

Herbal/food interactions

Answer 9

St. John’s wort can cause a decrease in antiretroviral activity