Retrovir has been shown to delay the progression of
HIV infection to
AIDS in people who do not have any AIDS symptoms yet. It has also been shown to increase the survival rate and decrease the chance of infections in people with AIDS. Retrovir is often used in combination with two or more HIV medications as part of Highly Active Retroviral Therapy (HAART).
Retrovir is also used to help prevent the transmission of HIV from a pregnant mother to her baby. In one study, HIV was transmitted to the baby 7.8 percent of the time when Retrovir was used, compared to 24.9 percent when the drug was not used.
When and How to Take Retrovir
General considerations for when and how to take Retrovir include the following:
- Retrovir comes in several forms, including tablets, capsules, and syrup. It is taken by mouth two to five times a day, depending on several factors.
- The medication also comes in an injectable form that is given by IV, often during labor to help prevent the transmission of the virus from mother to baby.
- You can take Retrovir with or without food. If the medicine bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It is very important that you closely follow your healthcare provider's instructions about taking Retrovir. Missing doses can increase the chance of the virus developing resistance to the drug (thereby making it less effective).
Dosing Information for Retrovir
The dose of Retrovir that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- Your height and weight (particularly for children)
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications (especially other HIV drugs) you are currently taking.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
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