AZT Dosage: What You Need to Know About Zidovudine Dosing and Uses

When it comes to treating AZT, a brand name for zidovudine, one of the first antiretroviral drugs approved for HIV. Also known as zidovudine, it works by blocking the enzyme HIV needs to copy itself, slowing the virus’s spread in your body. AZT dosage isn’t one-size-fits-all—it changes based on age, weight, whether you’re starting treatment, and if you’re taking other HIV meds. Getting it right matters because too little won’t control the virus, and too much can cause serious side effects like anemia or nerve damage.

AZT is almost always used in combination with other antiretrovirals, not alone. That’s because HIV mutates fast, and single drugs quickly lose effectiveness. You’ll often see it paired with drugs like lamivudine or tenofovir in pills like Combivir or Trizivir. The standard adult dose is 300 mg twice daily, taken with or without food. For kids, it’s calculated by weight—usually 180 mg per square meter of body surface area, split into two doses. If you’re pregnant and HIV-positive, AZT dosage ramps up during labor to lower the chance of passing the virus to your baby. Your doctor will adjust based on lab results, especially your red blood cell count, since AZT can suppress bone marrow.

People on AZT often need regular blood tests to check for low hemoglobin or low white blood cells. If levels drop too far, your dose might be lowered or paused. It’s also important to avoid mixing AZT with other drugs that stress the liver or bone marrow, like certain antibiotics or chemotherapy agents. You might notice nausea or headaches at first, but those usually fade. What’s more serious are long-term muscle weakness or lactic acid buildup—rare, but signs you should report right away. AZT isn’t the first choice anymore for new patients, but it’s still used in specific cases, like during pregnancy or when other drugs aren’t an option.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just a list of dosing numbers. It’s real-world context: how AZT interacts with other HIV meds, what alternatives exist, and how clinicians manage its risks. You’ll see how boosted protease inhibitors can change how AZT works in your body, why timing matters with other drugs, and what to do if side effects show up. This isn’t theoretical—it’s what doctors and patients deal with every day. Whether you’re starting treatment, switching regimens, or just trying to understand your meds, the guides here give you the clear, no-fluff details you need.