ziprasidone (Oral route)
30/06/10
zi-PRAS-i-done
- Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis:
- Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 times to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients. Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4.5%, compared to a rate of about 2.6% in the placebo group. Although the causes of death were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that, similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs, treatment with conventional antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. The extent to which the findings of increased mortality in observational studies may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to some characteristic(s) of the patients is not clear. Ziprasidone mesylate is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis .
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. Although the causes of death in clinical trials were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. It is unclear from these studies to what extent the mortality findings may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to patient characteristics. Ziprasidone mesylate is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis .
Oral routeCapsuleSuspension
- Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis
- Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 times to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients. Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4.5%, compared to a rate of about 2.6% in the placebo group. Although the causes of death were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that, similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs, treatment with conventional antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. The extent to which the findings of increased mortality in observational studies may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to some characteristic(s) of the patients is not clear. Ziprasidone hydrochloride is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis .
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. Although the causes of death in clinical trials were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. It is unclear from these studies to what extent the mortality findings may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to patient characteristics. Ziprasidone hydrochloride is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis .
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
- Geodon
Available Dosage Forms:
- Capsule
Therapeutic Class: Antipsychotic
Chemical Class: Benzisothiazoyl
Uses For ziprasidone
Ziprasidone is used to treat symptoms of psychotic (mental) disorders, such as schizophrenia, mania, or bipolar disorder. ziprasidone should not be used to treat behavioral problems in elderly patients who have dementia.
ziprasidone is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Before Using ziprasidone
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ziprasidone, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ziprasidone or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of ziprasidone in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ziprasidone in the elderly. However, ziprasidone should not be used for behavioral problems in older adults with dementia.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Using ziprasidone with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Acecainide
- Ajmaline
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Aprindine
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Astemizole
- Azimilide
- Bepridil
- Bretylium
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Cisapride
- Clarithromycin
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Dronedarone
- Droperidol
- Enflurane
- Erythromycin
- Flecainide
- Fluconazole
- Foscarnet
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Halothane
- Hydroquinidine
- Ibutilide
- Isoflurane
- Isradipine
- Levomethadyl
- Lidoflazine
- Lorcainide
- Mefloquine
- Mesoridazine
- Methadone
- Metoclopramide
- Moxifloxacin
- Octreotide
- Pentamidine
- Pimozide
- Pirmenol
- Prajmaline
- Probucol
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Propafenone
- Quinidine
- Sematilide
- Sertindole
- Sotalol
- Sparfloxacin
- Spiramycin
- Sultopride
- Tacrolimus
- Tedisamil
- Telithromycin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Trifluoperazine
- Vasopressin
- Zolmitriptan
- Zotepine
Using ziprasidone with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Ajmaline
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Chlorpromazine
- Desipramine
- Disopyramide
- Doxepin
- Fluoxetine
- Hydromorphone
- Hydroquinidine
- Iloperidone
- Imipramine
- Lapatinib
- Levofloxacin
- Lumefantrine
- Nilotinib
- Nortriptyline
- Pazopanib
- Pirmenol
- Prajmaline
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Protriptyline
- Ranolazine
- Sunitinib
- Telavancin
- Tetrabenazine
- Trifluoperazine
- Trimipramine
Using ziprasidone with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Carbamazepine
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ziprasidone. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Alzheimer’s disease or dementia or
- Bradycardia (slow heartbeat) or
- Dehydration or
- Heart attack, history of or
- Heart failure or
- Heart or blood vessel disease or
- Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or
- Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood) or
- Hypotension (low blood pressure) or
- Hypovolemia (low amount of blood) or
- Stroke, history of or
- Trouble with swallowing—May cause side effects to become worse.
- Blood or bone marrow problems (e.g., agranulocytosis, leukopenia, neutropenia) or
- Breast cancer, prolactin-dependent or
- Diabetes mellitus or
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or
- Hyperprolactinemia (high prolactin in the blood) or
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), history of or
- Priapism (painful or prolonged erection of the penis) or
- Seizures, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Heart attack, recent or
- Heart failure, uncompensated or
- Heart rhythm problems (e.g., arrhythmia, QT prolongation), history of—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
Proper Use of ziprasidone
Take ziprasidone only as directed by your doctor even if you feel well. Do not take more of ziprasidone and do not take it more often than your doctor ordered. ziprasidone works best if there is a constant amount in the blood. To keep blood levels constant, take ziprasidone at the same time each day and do not miss any doses.
ziprasidone comes with a patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions in the insert carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Swallow the capsule whole. Do not split, crush, or chew it.
You may take ziprasidone with food.
Dosing
The dose of ziprasidone will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of ziprasidone. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (capsules):
- For bipolar disorder:
- Adults—At first, 40 milligrams (mg) two times per day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 80 mg two times per day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For schizophrenia:
- Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) two times per day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 80 mg two times per day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For bipolar disorder:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of ziprasidone, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions While Using ziprasidone
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that ziprasidone is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
ziprasidone can cause changes in the heart rhythm, such as a condition called QT prolongation. It may change the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeats.
Stop taking ziprasidone and check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while using ziprasidone: convulsions (seizures), difficulty with breathing, a fast heartbeat, a high fever, high or low blood pressure, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, severe muscle stiffness, unusually pale skin, or tiredness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
ziprasidone may cause tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder). Check with your doctor right away if you have lip smacking or puckering, puffing of the cheeks, rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue, uncontrolled chewing movements, or uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs while you are using ziprasidone.
ziprasidone may increase the amount of sugar in your blood. Check with your doctor right away if you have increased thirst or increased urination. If you have diabetes, you may notice a change in the results of your urine or blood sugar tests. If you have any questions, check with your doctor.
Ziprasidone can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor right away if you think you are getting an infection, or if you have a fever or chills, a cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
If you develop a skin rash, hives, or any allergic reaction to ziprasidone, stop using the medicine and check with your doctor as soon as possible.
ziprasidone may cause some people to become drowsy or dizzy, or to have trouble with thinking or controlling body movements. Make sure you know how you react to ziprasidone before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that requires you to be alert, well-coordinated, or able to think well.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
Avoid activities involving high temperature or humidity. ziprasidone may reduce your body’s ability to adjust to the heat.
Ziprasidone may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies. If you or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are using ziprasidone.
ziprasidone may increase your weight. Your doctor may need to check your weight on a regular basis while you are using ziprasidone. Talk to your doctor about ways to prevent weight gain.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
ziprasidone Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Cough
- difficulty with speaking
- drooling
- fear or nervousness
- fever
- inability to sit still
- loss of balance control
- muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
- need to keep moving
- restlessness
- shuffling walk
- sneezing
- sore throat
- stiffness of the limbs
- twisting movements of the body
- uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
Less common
- Blurred vision
- body aches or pain
- chest pain
- congestion
- dizziness
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- headache
- hoarseness
- nervousness
- pounding in the ears
- runny nose
- slow or fast heartbeat
- swelling of the tongue
- tender, swollen glands in the neck
- trouble with swallowing
- voice changes
Rare
- Fainting or feeling faint
- feeling faint upon standing
- persistent, painful erection
- seizures
Incidence not known
- Inability to move the eyes
- increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
- sticking out of tongue
- trouble with breathing, speaking, or swallowing
- uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
- unusual facial expressions
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
- Drowsiness
- shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- sleepiness
- slurred speech
- trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- constipation
- diarrhea
- heartburn
- indigestion
- lack or loss of strength
- nausea
- rash
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- weakness
- weight gain
Less common
- Blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings
- change in vision
- cracked, dry, or scaly skin
- depression
- difficulty with moving
- dry mouth
- increase in salivation
- itching or reddening of the skin
- joint pain
- loss of appetite
- muscle ache
- muscle pains or stiffness
- muscle tightness
- stuffy nose
- swelling
- swollen joints
- vomiting
- weakness of the arms and legs
- weight loss
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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ziprasidone (Intramuscular route)
30/06/10
zi-PRAS-i-done
- Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis:
- Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 times to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients. Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4.5%, compared to a rate of about 2.6% in the placebo group. Although the causes of death were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that, similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs, treatment with conventional antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. The extent to which the findings of increased mortality in observational studies may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to some characteristic(s) of the patients is not clear. Ziprasidone mesylate is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis .
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. Although the causes of death in clinical trials were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. It is unclear from these studies to what extent the mortality findings may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to patient characteristics. Ziprasidone mesylate is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis .
Oral routeCapsuleSuspension
- Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis
- Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 times to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients. Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4.5%, compared to a rate of about 2.6% in the placebo group. Although the causes of death were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that, similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs, treatment with conventional antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. The extent to which the findings of increased mortality in observational studies may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to some characteristic(s) of the patients is not clear. Ziprasidone hydrochloride is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis .
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. Although the causes of death in clinical trials were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. It is unclear from these studies to what extent the mortality findings may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to patient characteristics. Ziprasidone hydrochloride is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis .
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
- Geodon
Available Dosage Forms:
- Powder for Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antipsychotic
Chemical Class: Benzisothiazoyl
Uses For ziprasidone
Ziprasidone injection is used to treat agitation that occurs with schizophrenia, a mental disorder. ziprasidone should not be used to treat behavioral problems in elderly patients who have dementia.
ziprasidone is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Before Using ziprasidone
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ziprasidone, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ziprasidone or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of ziprasidone injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ziprasidone injection in the elderly. However, ziprasidone should not be used for behavioral problems in older adults with dementia.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Using ziprasidone with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Acecainide
- Ajmaline
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Aprindine
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Astemizole
- Azimilide
- Bepridil
- Bretylium
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Cisapride
- Clarithromycin
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Dronedarone
- Droperidol
- Enflurane
- Erythromycin
- Flecainide
- Fluconazole
- Foscarnet
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Halothane
- Hydroquinidine
- Ibutilide
- Isoflurane
- Isradipine
- Levomethadyl
- Lidoflazine
- Lorcainide
- Mefloquine
- Mesoridazine
- Methadone
- Metoclopramide
- Moxifloxacin
- Octreotide
- Pentamidine
- Pimozide
- Pirmenol
- Prajmaline
- Probucol
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Propafenone
- Quinidine
- Sematilide
- Sertindole
- Sotalol
- Sparfloxacin
- Spiramycin
- Sultopride
- Tacrolimus
- Tedisamil
- Telithromycin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Trifluoperazine
- Vasopressin
- Zolmitriptan
- Zotepine
Using ziprasidone with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Ajmaline
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Chlorpromazine
- Desipramine
- Disopyramide
- Doxepin
- Fluoxetine
- Hydromorphone
- Hydroquinidine
- Iloperidone
- Imipramine
- Lapatinib
- Levofloxacin
- Lumefantrine
- Nilotinib
- Nortriptyline
- Pazopanib
- Pirmenol
- Prajmaline
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Protriptyline
- Ranolazine
- Sunitinib
- Telavancin
- Tetrabenazine
- Trifluoperazine
- Trimipramine
Using ziprasidone with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Carbamazepine
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ziprasidone. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Alzheimer’s disease or dementia or
- Bradycardia (slow heartbeat) or
- Dehydration or
- Heart attack, history of or
- Heart failure or
- Heart or blood vessel disease or
- Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or
- Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood) or
- Hypotension (low blood pressure) or
- Hypovolemia (low amount of blood) or
- Stroke, history of or
- Trouble with swallowing—May cause side effects to become worse.
- Blood or bone marrow problems (e.g., agranulocytosis, leukopenia, neutropenia) or
- Breast cancer, prolactin-dependent or
- Diabetes mellitus or
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or
- Hyperprolactinemia (high prolactin in the blood) or
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), history of or
- Priapism (painful or prolonged erection of the penis) or
- Seizures, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Heart attack, recent or
- Heart failure, uncompensated or
- Heart rhythm problems (e.g., arrhythmia, QT prolongation), history of—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
- Kidney disease—Use with caution. Higher blood levels of ziprasidone injection may occur, increasing the chance of side effects.
Proper Use of ziprasidone
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you ziprasidone. ziprasidone is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
Your doctor will give you a few doses of ziprasidone until your condition improves, and then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.
Precautions While Using ziprasidone
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that ziprasidone is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
ziprasidone can cause changes in the heart rhythm, such as a condition called QT prolongation. It may change the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeats.
Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while using ziprasidone: convulsions (seizures), difficulty with breathing, a fast heartbeat, a high fever, high or low blood pressure, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, severe muscle stiffness, unusually pale skin, or tiredness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
ziprasidone may cause tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder). Check with your doctor right away if you have lip smacking or puckering, puffing of the cheeks, rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue, uncontrolled chewing movements, or uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs while you are using ziprasidone.
ziprasidone may increase the amount of sugar in your blood. Check with your doctor right away if you have increased thirst or increased urination. If you have diabetes, you may notice a change in the results of your urine or blood sugar tests. If you have any questions, check with your doctor.
Ziprasidone injection can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor right away if you think you are getting an infection, or if you have a fever or chills, a cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
If you develop a skin rash, hives, or any allergic reaction to ziprasidone, stop using the medicine and check with your doctor as soon as possible.
ziprasidone may cause some people to become drowsy or dizzy, or to have trouble with thinking or controlling body movements. Make sure you know how you react to ziprasidone before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that requires you to be alert, well-coordinated, or able to think well.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
Avoid activities involving high temperature or humidity. ziprasidone may reduce your body’s ability to adjust to the heat.
Ziprasidone injection may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies. If you or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are using ziprasidone.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
ziprasidone Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Chills
- cold sweats
- confusion
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
Less common
- Anxiety
- bleeding from rectum or bloody stools
- blurred vision
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings
- change in personality
- chest pain or discomfort
- cough
- diarrhea
- difficulty with speaking
- drooling
- dry mouth
- excessive muscle tone
- feeling of warmth or heat
- feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior
- feeling that others can hear your thoughts
- feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
- fever
- flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- headache
- hyperventilation
- incremental or ratchet-like movement of the muscles
- irregular heartbeats
- irritability
- joint pain
- loss of appetite
- loss of balance control
- multiple swollen and inflamed skin lesions
- muscle aches and pains
- muscle discomfort
- muscle tension or tightness
- muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
- nausea
- nervousness
- painful or prolonged erection of the penis
- pounding in the ears
- restlessness
- rigid or stiff muscles
- runny nose
- severe mood or mental changes
- shaking
- shivering
- shortness of breath
- shuffling walk
- slow or fast heartbeat
- sore throat
- stiffness of the limbs
- sweating
- trouble sleeping
- twisting movements of the body
- uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
- unusual behavior
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
Rare
- Actions that are out of control
- convulsions
- difficulty with breathing
- fainting
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- high fever
- high or low blood pressure
- hives
- itching
- lip smacking or puckering
- loss of bladder control
- overactive reflexes
- poor coordination
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue
- shivering
- talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
- trembling
- twitching
- unexpected or excess milk flow from the breasts
- unusually pale skin
- wheezing
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Pain at the site of injection
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Less common
- Acid or sour stomach
- back pain
- belching
- constipation
- cramps
- heartburn
- heavy bleeding
- inability to sit still
- indigestion
- need to keep moving
- pain
- runny nose
- sleeplessness
- sneezing
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- stuffy nose
- tooth disorder
- unable to sleep
- weight loss
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.
The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided “AS IS” and “as available” for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.
Zinx
30/06/10
Generic Name: zinc supplement (Oral route, Parenteral route)
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
- Galzin
- M2 Zinc 50
- Orazinc 110
- Orazinc 220
- Zinc-220
- Zinc Chelated
- Zn Plus Protein
In Canada
- Prostavan
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
- Capsule
- Tablet, Extended Release
Uses For Zinx
Zinc supplements are used to prevent or treat zinc deficiency.
The body needs zinc for normal growth and health. For patients who are unable to get enough zinc in their regular diet or who have a need for more zinc, zinc supplements may be necessary. They are generally taken by mouth but some patients may have to receive them by injection.
Zinc supplements may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care professional.
Lack of zinc may lead to poor night vision and wound-healing, a decrease in sense of taste and smell, a reduced ability to fight infections, and poor development of reproductive organs.
- Acrodermatitis enteropathica (a lack of absorption of zinc from the intestine)
- Alcoholism
- Burns
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Down’s syndrome
- Eating disorders
- Intestine diseases
- Infections (continuing or chronic)
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Pancreas disease
- Sickle cell disease
- Skin disorders
- Stomach removal
- Stress (continuing)
- Thalassemia
- Trauma (prolonged)
In addition, premature infants may need additional zinc.
Increased need for zinc should be determined by your health care professional.
Claims that zinc is effective in preventing vision loss in the elderly have not been proven. Zinc has not been proven effective in the treatment of porphyria.
Injectable zinc is given by or under the supervision of a health care professional. Other forms of zinc are available without a prescription.
Once a medicine or dietary supplement has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, zinc supplements are used in certain patients with the following medical condition:
- Wilson’s disease (a disease of too much copper in the body)
Importance of Diet
For good health, it is important that you eat a balanced and varied diet. Follow carefully any diet program your health care professional may recommend. For your specific dietary vitamin and/or mineral needs, ask your health care professional for a list of appropriate foods. If you think that you are not getting enough vitamins and/or minerals in your diet, you may choose to take a dietary supplement.
Zinc is found in various foods, including lean red meats, seafood (especially herring and oysters), peas, and beans. Zinc is also found in whole grains; however, large amounts of whole-grains have been found to decrease the amount of zinc that is absorbed. Additional zinc may be added to the diet through treated (galvanized) cookware. Foods stored in uncoated tin cans may cause less zinc to be available for absorption from food.
The daily amount of zinc needed is defined in several different ways.
- For U.S.—
- Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) are the amount of vitamins and minerals needed to provide for adequate nutrition in most healthy persons. RDAs for a given nutrient may vary depending on a person’s age, sex, and physical condition (e.g., pregnancy).
- Daily Values (DVs) are used on food and dietary supplement labels to indicate the percent of the recommended daily amount of each nutrient that a serving provides. DV replaces the previous designation of United States Recommended Daily Allowances (USRDAs).
- For Canada—
- Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) are used to determine the amounts of vitamins, minerals, and protein needed to provide adequate nutrition and lessen the risk of chronic disease.
Normal daily recommended intakes in milligrams (mg) for zinc are generally defined as follows:
| Persons | U.S. (mg) | Canada (mg) |
| Infants and children birth to 3 years of age |
5–10 | 2–4 |
| Children 4 to 6 years of age | 10 | 5 |
| Children 7 to 10 years of age | 10 | 7–9 |
| Adolescent and adult males | 15 | 9–12 |
| Adolescent and adult females | 12 | 9 |
| Pregnant females | 15 | 15 |
| Breast-feeding females | 16–19 | 15 |
Before Using Zinx
If you are taking a dietary supplement without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For these supplements, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Problems in children have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts.
Geriatric
Problems in older adults have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts. There is some evidence that the elderly may be at risk of becoming deficient in zinc due to poor food selection, decreased absorption of zinc by the body, or medicines that decrease absorption of zinc or increase loss of zinc from the body.
Pregnancy
It is especially important that you are receiving enough vitamins and minerals when you become pregnant and that you continue to receive the right amount of vitamins and minerals throughout your pregnancy. The healthy growth and development of the fetus depend on a steady supply of nutrients from the mother. There is evidence that low blood levels of zinc may lead to problems in pregnancy or defects in the baby. However, taking large amounts of a dietary supplement in pregnancy may be harmful to the mother and/or fetus and should be avoided.
Breast Feeding
It is important that you receive the right amounts of vitamins and minerals so that your baby will also get the vitamins and minerals needed to grow properly. However, taking large amounts of a dietary supplement while breast-feeding may be harmful to the mother and/or baby and should be avoided.
Interactions with Medicines
Using dietary supplements in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amygdalin
- Eltrombopag
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of dietary supplements in this class. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Copper deficiency—Zinc supplements may make this condition worse.
Proper Use of zinc supplement
This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain zinc supplement. It may not be specific to Zinx. Please read with care.
Zinc supplements are most effective if they are taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. However, if zinc supplements cause stomach upset, they may be taken with a meal. You should tell your health care professional if you are taking your zinc supplement with meals.
Dosing
The dose medicines in this class will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage forms (capsules, lozenges, tablets, extended-release tablets):
- To prevent deficiency, the amount taken by mouth is based on normal daily recommended intakes (Note that the normal daily recommended intakes are expressed as an actual amount of zinc. The dosage form [e.g., zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate] has a different strength):
- For the U.S
- Adult and teenage males—15 milligrams (mg) per day.
- Adult and teenage females—12 mg per day.
- Pregnant females—15 mg per day.
- Breast-feeding females—16 to 19 mg per day.
- Children 4 to 10 years of age—10 mg per day.
- Children birth to 3 years of age—5 to 10 mg per day.
- For Canada
- Adult and teenage males—9 to 12 mg per day.
- Adult and teenage females—9 mg per day.
- Pregnant females—15 mg per day.
- Breast-feeding females—15 mg per day.
- Children 7 to 10 years of age—7 to 9 mg per day.
- Children 4 to 6 years of age—5 mg per day.
- Children birth to 3 years of age—2 to 4 mg per day.
- To treat deficiency:
- Adults, teenagers, and children—Treatment dose is determined by prescriber for each individual based on severity of deficiency.
- To prevent deficiency, the amount taken by mouth is based on normal daily recommended intakes (Note that the normal daily recommended intakes are expressed as an actual amount of zinc. The dosage form [e.g., zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate] has a different strength):
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
If you miss taking zinc supplements for one or more days there is no cause for concern, since it takes some time for your body to become seriously low in zinc. However, if your health care professional has recommended that you take zinc, try to remember to take it as directed every day.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Precautions While Using Zinx
When zinc combines with certain foods it may not be absorbed into your body and it will do you no good. If you are taking zinc, the following foods should be avoided or taken 2 hours after you take zinc:
- Bran
- Fiber-containing foods
- Phosphorus-containing foods such as milk or poultry
- Whole-grain breads and cereals
Do not take zinc supplements and copper, iron, or phosphorus supplements at the same time. It is best to space doses of these products 2 hours apart, to get the full benefit from each dietary supplement.
Zinx Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a dietary supplement may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare – With large doses
- Chills
- continuing ulcers or sores in mouth or throat
- fever
- heartburn
- indigestion
- nausea
- sore throat
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Symptoms of overdose
- Chest pain
- dizziness
- fainting
- shortness of breath
- vomiting
- yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.
The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided “AS IS” and “as available” for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.
Zincon
30/06/10
Generic Name: pyrithione (Topical route)
pir-i-THYE-one
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
- 2 in 1 Dandruff
- Beta Med
- DermaZinc
- DHS Zinc
- Skincure
- Zincon
- Znp
Available Dosage Forms:
- Shampoo
- Spray
- Cream
- Bar
- Lotion
- Soap
Therapeutic Class: Dermatological Agent
Chemical Class: Pyrethrums
Uses For Zincon
Pyrithione is used to help control the symptoms of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp.
This medicine is available without a prescription.
Before Using Zincon
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Although there is no specific information comparing use of pyrithione in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of pyrithione in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Proper Use of pyrithione
This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain pyrithione. It may not be specific to Zincon. Please read with care.
For best results, use this medicine at least 2 times a week or as directed by your doctor.
To use:
- Before applying this shampoo, wet the hair and scalp with lukewarm water.
- Apply enough shampoo to the scalp to work up a lather and rub in well, then rinse.
- Apply the shampoo again and rinse thoroughly.
Keep this medicine away from the eyes. If you should accidentally get some in your eyes, flush them thoroughly with water.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For bar dosage form:
- For dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis:
- Adults and children—Apply to the affected skin of body, face, or scalp once a day at least two times a week. Lather, massage into affected area, rinse, and repeat.
- For dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis:
- For cream dosage forms:
- For dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis:
- Adults and children—Apply one to three times a day to affected skin on the body, face, or scalp or as directed by the doctor.
- For Brylcreem Antidandruff—Adults: Apply to scalp once a day after shampooing and toweling hair dry. Massage into scalp for one minute.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
- For dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis:
- For lotion dosage form:
- For dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis:
- For DermaZinc Scalp: Adults—Apply to scalp one to three times a day or as directed by the doctor.
- For DermaZinc Spray: Adults—Apply one spray to affected skin of body, face, or scalp one to three times a day or as directed by the doctor. Medicine should cover a three-inch-square area. Treatment should continue for one week after symptoms lessen.
- For DermaZinc Baby: Children—Apply to affected skin of face, body, or scalp one to four times a day or as directed by the doctor.
- For dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis:
- For lotion shampoo dosage forms:
- For dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis:
- Adults and children up to 2 years of age—Use once a day as a shampoo on the scalp at least two times a week; however, may be used every day. Apply to wet hair and leave on the scalp for several minutes or massage into scalp vigorously before rinsing.
- Children up to 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
- For dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Precautions While Using Zincon
If your condition does not get better after regular use of this medicine, or if it gets worse, check with your doctor.
Zincon Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common or rare
- Irritation of skin
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.
The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided “AS IS” and “as available” for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
- Galzin
- M2 Zinc 50
- Orazinc 110
- Orazinc 220
- Zinc-220
- Zinc Chelated
- Zn Plus Protein
In Canada
- Prostavan
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
- Capsule
- Tablet, Extended Release
Uses For zinc supplement
Zinc supplements are used to prevent or treat zinc deficiency.
The body needs zinc for normal growth and health. For patients who are unable to get enough zinc in their regular diet or who have a need for more zinc, zinc supplements may be necessary. They are generally taken by mouth but some patients may have to receive them by injection.
Zinc supplements may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care professional.
Lack of zinc may lead to poor night vision and wound-healing, a decrease in sense of taste and smell, a reduced ability to fight infections, and poor development of reproductive organs.
- Acrodermatitis enteropathica (a lack of absorption of zinc from the intestine)
- Alcoholism
- Burns
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Down’s syndrome
- Eating disorders
- Intestine diseases
- Infections (continuing or chronic)
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Pancreas disease
- Sickle cell disease
- Skin disorders
- Stomach removal
- Stress (continuing)
- Thalassemia
- Trauma (prolonged)
In addition, premature infants may need additional zinc.
Increased need for zinc should be determined by your health care professional.
Claims that zinc is effective in preventing vision loss in the elderly have not been proven. Zinc has not been proven effective in the treatment of porphyria.
Injectable zinc is given by or under the supervision of a health care professional. Other forms of zinc are available without a prescription.
Once a medicine or dietary supplement has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, zinc supplements are used in certain patients with the following medical condition:
- Wilson’s disease (a disease of too much copper in the body)
Importance of Diet
For good health, it is important that you eat a balanced and varied diet. Follow carefully any diet program your health care professional may recommend. For your specific dietary vitamin and/or mineral needs, ask your health care professional for a list of appropriate foods. If you think that you are not getting enough vitamins and/or minerals in your diet, you may choose to take a dietary supplement.
Zinc is found in various foods, including lean red meats, seafood (especially herring and oysters), peas, and beans. Zinc is also found in whole grains; however, large amounts of whole-grains have been found to decrease the amount of zinc that is absorbed. Additional zinc may be added to the diet through treated (galvanized) cookware. Foods stored in uncoated tin cans may cause less zinc to be available for absorption from food.
The daily amount of zinc needed is defined in several different ways.
- For U.S.—
- Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) are the amount of vitamins and minerals needed to provide for adequate nutrition in most healthy persons. RDAs for a given nutrient may vary depending on a person’s age, sex, and physical condition (e.g., pregnancy).
- Daily Values (DVs) are used on food and dietary supplement labels to indicate the percent of the recommended daily amount of each nutrient that a serving provides. DV replaces the previous designation of United States Recommended Daily Allowances (USRDAs).
- For Canada—
- Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) are used to determine the amounts of vitamins, minerals, and protein needed to provide adequate nutrition and lessen the risk of chronic disease.
Normal daily recommended intakes in milligrams (mg) for zinc are generally defined as follows:
| Persons | U.S. (mg) | Canada (mg) |
| Infants and children birth to 3 years of age |
5–10 | 2–4 |
| Children 4 to 6 years of age | 10 | 5 |
| Children 7 to 10 years of age | 10 | 7–9 |
| Adolescent and adult males | 15 | 9–12 |
| Adolescent and adult females | 12 | 9 |
| Pregnant females | 15 | 15 |
| Breast-feeding females | 16–19 | 15 |
Before Using zinc supplement
If you are taking a dietary supplement without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For these supplements, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Problems in children have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts.
Geriatric
Problems in older adults have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts. There is some evidence that the elderly may be at risk of becoming deficient in zinc due to poor food selection, decreased absorption of zinc by the body, or medicines that decrease absorption of zinc or increase loss of zinc from the body.
Pregnancy
It is especially important that you are receiving enough vitamins and minerals when you become pregnant and that you continue to receive the right amount of vitamins and minerals throughout your pregnancy. The healthy growth and development of the fetus depend on a steady supply of nutrients from the mother. There is evidence that low blood levels of zinc may lead to problems in pregnancy or defects in the baby. However, taking large amounts of a dietary supplement in pregnancy may be harmful to the mother and/or fetus and should be avoided.
Breast Feeding
It is important that you receive the right amounts of vitamins and minerals so that your baby will also get the vitamins and minerals needed to grow properly. However, taking large amounts of a dietary supplement while breast-feeding may be harmful to the mother and/or baby and should be avoided.
Interactions with Medicines
Using dietary supplements in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amygdalin
- Eltrombopag
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of dietary supplements in this class. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Copper deficiency—Zinc supplements may make this condition worse.
Proper Use of zinc supplement
Zinc supplements are most effective if they are taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. However, if zinc supplements cause stomach upset, they may be taken with a meal. You should tell your health care professional if you are taking your zinc supplement with meals.
Dosing
The dose medicines in this class will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage forms (capsules, lozenges, tablets, extended-release tablets):
- To prevent deficiency, the amount taken by mouth is based on normal daily recommended intakes (Note that the normal daily recommended intakes are expressed as an actual amount of zinc. The dosage form [e.g., zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate] has a different strength):
- For the U.S
- Adult and teenage males—15 milligrams (mg) per day.
- Adult and teenage females—12 mg per day.
- Pregnant females—15 mg per day.
- Breast-feeding females—16 to 19 mg per day.
- Children 4 to 10 years of age—10 mg per day.
- Children birth to 3 years of age—5 to 10 mg per day.
- For Canada
- Adult and teenage males—9 to 12 mg per day.
- Adult and teenage females—9 mg per day.
- Pregnant females—15 mg per day.
- Breast-feeding females—15 mg per day.
- Children 7 to 10 years of age—7 to 9 mg per day.
- Children 4 to 6 years of age—5 mg per day.
- Children birth to 3 years of age—2 to 4 mg per day.
- To treat deficiency:
- Adults, teenagers, and children—Treatment dose is determined by prescriber for each individual based on severity of deficiency.
- To prevent deficiency, the amount taken by mouth is based on normal daily recommended intakes (Note that the normal daily recommended intakes are expressed as an actual amount of zinc. The dosage form [e.g., zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate] has a different strength):
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of zinc supplement, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
If you miss taking zinc supplements for one or more days there is no cause for concern, since it takes some time for your body to become seriously low in zinc. However, if your health care professional has recommended that you take zinc, try to remember to take it as directed every day.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Precautions While Using zinc supplement
When zinc combines with certain foods it may not be absorbed into your body and it will do you no good. If you are taking zinc, the following foods should be avoided or taken 2 hours after you take zinc:
- Bran
- Fiber-containing foods
- Phosphorus-containing foods such as milk or poultry
- Whole-grain breads and cereals
Do not take zinc supplements and copper, iron, or phosphorus supplements at the same time. It is best to space doses of these products 2 hours apart, to get the full benefit from each dietary supplement.
zinc supplement Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a dietary supplement may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare – With large doses
- Chills
- continuing ulcers or sores in mouth or throat
- fever
- heartburn
- indigestion
- nausea
- sore throat
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Symptoms of overdose
- Chest pain
- dizziness
- fainting
- shortness of breath
- vomiting
- yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.
The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided “AS IS” and “as available” for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.
Zinc Chelated
30/06/10
Generic Name: zinc supplement (Oral route, Parenteral route)
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
- Galzin
- M2 Zinc 50
- Orazinc 110
- Orazinc 220
- Zinc-220
- Zinc Chelated
- Zn Plus Protein
In Canada
- Prostavan
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
- Capsule
- Tablet, Extended Release
Uses For Zinc Chelated
Zinc supplements are used to prevent or treat zinc deficiency.
The body needs zinc for normal growth and health. For patients who are unable to get enough zinc in their regular diet or who have a need for more zinc, zinc supplements may be necessary. They are generally taken by mouth but some patients may have to receive them by injection.
Zinc supplements may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care professional.
Lack of zinc may lead to poor night vision and wound-healing, a decrease in sense of taste and smell, a reduced ability to fight infections, and poor development of reproductive organs.
- Acrodermatitis enteropathica (a lack of absorption of zinc from the intestine)
- Alcoholism
- Burns
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Down’s syndrome
- Eating disorders
- Intestine diseases
- Infections (continuing or chronic)
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Pancreas disease
- Sickle cell disease
- Skin disorders
- Stomach removal
- Stress (continuing)
- Thalassemia
- Trauma (prolonged)
In addition, premature infants may need additional zinc.
Increased need for zinc should be determined by your health care professional.
Claims that zinc is effective in preventing vision loss in the elderly have not been proven. Zinc has not been proven effective in the treatment of porphyria.
Injectable zinc is given by or under the supervision of a health care professional. Other forms of zinc are available without a prescription.
Once a medicine or dietary supplement has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, zinc supplements are used in certain patients with the following medical condition:
- Wilson’s disease (a disease of too much copper in the body)
Importance of Diet
For good health, it is important that you eat a balanced and varied diet. Follow carefully any diet program your health care professional may recommend. For your specific dietary vitamin and/or mineral needs, ask your health care professional for a list of appropriate foods. If you think that you are not getting enough vitamins and/or minerals in your diet, you may choose to take a dietary supplement.
Zinc is found in various foods, including lean red meats, seafood (especially herring and oysters), peas, and beans. Zinc is also found in whole grains; however, large amounts of whole-grains have been found to decrease the amount of zinc that is absorbed. Additional zinc may be added to the diet through treated (galvanized) cookware. Foods stored in uncoated tin cans may cause less zinc to be available for absorption from food.
The daily amount of zinc needed is defined in several different ways.
- For U.S.—
- Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) are the amount of vitamins and minerals needed to provide for adequate nutrition in most healthy persons. RDAs for a given nutrient may vary depending on a person’s age, sex, and physical condition (e.g., pregnancy).
- Daily Values (DVs) are used on food and dietary supplement labels to indicate the percent of the recommended daily amount of each nutrient that a serving provides. DV replaces the previous designation of United States Recommended Daily Allowances (USRDAs).
- For Canada—
- Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) are used to determine the amounts of vitamins, minerals, and protein needed to provide adequate nutrition and lessen the risk of chronic disease.
Normal daily recommended intakes in milligrams (mg) for zinc are generally defined as follows:
| Persons | U.S. (mg) | Canada (mg) |
| Infants and children birth to 3 years of age |
5–10 | 2–4 |
| Children 4 to 6 years of age | 10 | 5 |
| Children 7 to 10 years of age | 10 | 7–9 |
| Adolescent and adult males | 15 | 9–12 |
| Adolescent and adult females | 12 | 9 |
| Pregnant females | 15 | 15 |
| Breast-feeding females | 16–19 | 15 |
Before Using Zinc Chelated
If you are taking a dietary supplement without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For these supplements, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Problems in children have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts.
Geriatric
Problems in older adults have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts. There is some evidence that the elderly may be at risk of becoming deficient in zinc due to poor food selection, decreased absorption of zinc by the body, or medicines that decrease absorption of zinc or increase loss of zinc from the body.
Pregnancy
It is especially important that you are receiving enough vitamins and minerals when you become pregnant and that you continue to receive the right amount of vitamins and minerals throughout your pregnancy. The healthy growth and development of the fetus depend on a steady supply of nutrients from the mother. There is evidence that low blood levels of zinc may lead to problems in pregnancy or defects in the baby. However, taking large amounts of a dietary supplement in pregnancy may be harmful to the mother and/or fetus and should be avoided.
Breast Feeding
It is important that you receive the right amounts of vitamins and minerals so that your baby will also get the vitamins and minerals needed to grow properly. However, taking large amounts of a dietary supplement while breast-feeding may be harmful to the mother and/or baby and should be avoided.
Interactions with Medicines
Using dietary supplements in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amygdalin
- Eltrombopag
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of dietary supplements in this class. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Copper deficiency—Zinc supplements may make this condition worse.
Proper Use of zinc supplement
This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain zinc supplement. It may not be specific to Zinc Chelated. Please read with care.
Zinc supplements are most effective if they are taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. However, if zinc supplements cause stomach upset, they may be taken with a meal. You should tell your health care professional if you are taking your zinc supplement with meals.
Dosing
The dose medicines in this class will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage forms (capsules, lozenges, tablets, extended-release tablets):
- To prevent deficiency, the amount taken by mouth is based on normal daily recommended intakes (Note that the normal daily recommended intakes are expressed as an actual amount of zinc. The dosage form [e.g., zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate] has a different strength):
- For the U.S
- Adult and teenage males—15 milligrams (mg) per day.
- Adult and teenage females—12 mg per day.
- Pregnant females—15 mg per day.
- Breast-feeding females—16 to 19 mg per day.
- Children 4 to 10 years of age—10 mg per day.
- Children birth to 3 years of age—5 to 10 mg per day.
- For Canada
- Adult and teenage males—9 to 12 mg per day.
- Adult and teenage females—9 mg per day.
- Pregnant females—15 mg per day.
- Breast-feeding females—15 mg per day.
- Children 7 to 10 years of age—7 to 9 mg per day.
- Children 4 to 6 years of age—5 mg per day.
- Children birth to 3 years of age—2 to 4 mg per day.
- To treat deficiency:
- Adults, teenagers, and children—Treatment dose is determined by prescriber for each individual based on severity of deficiency.
- To prevent deficiency, the amount taken by mouth is based on normal daily recommended intakes (Note that the normal daily recommended intakes are expressed as an actual amount of zinc. The dosage form [e.g., zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate] has a different strength):
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
If you miss taking zinc supplements for one or more days there is no cause for concern, since it takes some time for your body to become seriously low in zinc. However, if your health care professional has recommended that you take zinc, try to remember to take it as directed every day.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Precautions While Using Zinc Chelated
When zinc combines with certain foods it may not be absorbed into your body and it will do you no good. If you are taking zinc, the following foods should be avoided or taken 2 hours after you take zinc:
- Bran
- Fiber-containing foods
- Phosphorus-containing foods such as milk or poultry
- Whole-grain breads and cereals
Do not take zinc supplements and copper, iron, or phosphorus supplements at the same time. It is best to space doses of these products 2 hours apart, to get the full benefit from each dietary supplement.
Zinc Chelated Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a dietary supplement may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare – With large doses
- Chills
- continuing ulcers or sores in mouth or throat
- fever
- heartburn
- indigestion
- nausea
- sore throat
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Symptoms of overdose
- Chest pain
- dizziness
- fainting
- shortness of breath
- vomiting
- yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.
The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided “AS IS” and “as available” for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.
Zinacef
30/06/10
Generic Name: cefuroxime (Injection route, Intravenous route)
sef-ue-ROX-eem
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
- Zinacef
Available Dosage Forms:
- Powder for Solution
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic
Pharmacologic Class: 2nd Generation Cephalosporin
Uses For Zinacef
Cefuroxime is used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Before Using Zinacef
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
This medicine has been tested in children and, in effective doses, has not shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.
Geriatric
This medicine has been tested in the elderly and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | B | Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus. |
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Colitis, history of or
- Gastrointestinal disease, history of— cefuroxime may make these worse
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease or
- Poor nutritional status—these may be worsened by cefuroxime and you may need to have vitamin K
- Kidney problems, temporary or permanent— these may effect how much cefuroxime is in your body, reducing your dose might be needed.
Proper Use of Zinacef
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For injection dosage form
-
- Adults and teenagers—750 mg to 3 grams every six to eight hours usually for 5 to 14 days, injected into a muscle or vein. Gonorrhea is treated with a single dose of 1.5 grams, injected into a muscle; the total 1.5-gram dose is divided into two doses and injected into muscles at two separate places on the body, and given along with a single, oral 1-gram dose of probenecid.
- Infants and children 1 month of age and older—12.5 to 150 mg per kg (5.68 to 68 mg per pound) of body weight every six to eight hours, injected into a muscle or vein.
- Newborns—30 to 100 mg per kg (13.6 to 45.5 mg per pound) of body weight every eight to twelve hours, injected into a vein.
-
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Consult your health care professional about how to store this medicine.
Precautions While Using Zinacef
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Zinacef Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Black, tarry stools
- chest pain
- chills
- cough
- fever
- painful or difficult urination
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth
- swollen glands
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
- Abdominal or stomach cramps
- abdominal or stomach tenderness or pain
- bloating
- bluish color or changes in skin color
- diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
- difficulty in breathing or swallowing, wheezing, shortness of breath
- fast heartbeat
- fever
- hives or welts
- increased thirst
- muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
- nausea or vomiting
- pain
- skin itching, rash, or redness
- sudden loss of consciousness
- swelling of face, throat, or tongue
- swelling of foot or leg
- tenderness
- unusual weight loss
Rare
- Blistering, peeling, loosening of skin
- bloody or cloudy urine
- dizziness
- fast heartbeat
- greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
- hearing loss, mild to moderate
- joint or muscle pain
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue
- red or irritated eyes
- redness, tenderness, itching, burning, or peeling of skin
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- sore throat
- tightness in chest
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Gas
- loss of appetite
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.
The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided “AS IS” and “as available” for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.
zileuton (Oral route)
30/06/10
zye-LOO-ton
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
- Zyflo
- Zyflo CR
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
- Tablet, Extended Release
Therapeutic Class: Anti-Inflammatory
Pharmacologic Class: Leukotriene Pathway Inhibitor
Uses For zileuton
Zileuton is used by patients with mild-to-moderate chronic asthma to decrease the symptoms of asthma and the number of acute asthma attacks. However, zileuton should not be taken to relieve an asthma attack that has already started.
zileuton is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Zileuton immediate-release tablets (Zyflo(R)) were withdrawn from the U. S. market by Critical Therapeutics on February 12, 2008. The extended-release formulation of zileuton (Zyflo CR(R)), also manufactured by Critical Therapeutics, Inc, is still available.
Before Using zileuton
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For zileuton, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to zileuton or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of zileuton in children younger than 12 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of zileuton in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver disease, and zileuton should not be used in patients with this condition.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Using zileuton with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Dihydroergotamine
- Ergoloid Mesylates
- Ergonovine
- Ergotamine
- Methylergonovine
Using zileuton with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Astemizole
- Eltrombopag
- Pimozide
- Terfenadine
- Theophylline
- Tizanidine
Using zileuton with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Propranolol
- Warfarin
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of zileuton. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Alcohol use, severe or
- Liver disease, history of—Use with caution. The chance of serious side effects may be increased.
- Liver disease, active—zileuton should not be used with this condition.
Proper Use of zileuton
Zileuton is used to prevent asthma attacks. It is not used to relieve an attack that has already started. For relief of an asthma attack that has already started, you should use another inhaled medicine that works quickly. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
To work properly, zileuton must be taken every day at regularly spaced times, even if your asthma seems better.
Dosing
The dose of zileuton will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of zileuton. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
- For asthma prevention:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older—Two 600 milligram (mg) tablets two times a day, within one hour after morning and evening meals.
- Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For asthma prevention:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of zileuton, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions While Using zileuton
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.
Check with your doctor if you are using more inhalations (puffs) than usual of your inhaled bronchodilator to relieve an acute asthma attack.
You may be taking other medicines for asthma along with zileuton. Do not stop taking or reduce the dose of the other medicines, even if your asthma seems better, unless you are told to do so by your doctor.
You should limit the amount of alcohol you drink while you are taking zileuton.
zileuton may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed and have problems with sleep. If you or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.
zileuton Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
- Flu-like symptoms
- itching
- right upper stomach pain
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known
- Attack, assault, or force
- attempts at killing oneself
- discouragement
- dry mouth
- fear or nervousness
- feeling sad or empty
- hyperventilation
- irregular heartbeats
- irritability
- lack of appetite
- loss of interest or pleasure
- restlessness
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- shortness of breath
- sleeplessness
- tiredness
- trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
- trouble with concentrating
- trouble with sleeping
- unable to sleep
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Cough
- fever
- headache
- nausea
- pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
- stuffy or runny nose
- tightness of the chest or wheezing
- troubled breathing
- upset stomach
Less common
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- sore throat
- weakness
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.
The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided “AS IS” and “as available” for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.
Zilactin
30/06/10
Generic Name: benzocaine (Oral route, Oromucosal route)
BEN-zoe-kane
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
- Anbesol
- Babee Teething
- Benzodent
- Benz-O-Sthetic
- Bi-Zets/Benzo-Troches
- Dentemp’s
- Dent-O-Kain/20
- Detane
- Gumsol
- HAD
- Hurricaine
- Hurricane Spray Kit
- Kank-A Soft Brush
- Larynex
- Miradyne-3
- Mycinette
- Orabase-B
- Oracaine
- Ora film
- Orajel
- OraMagic Plus
- Orasol
- Red Cross Canker Sore
- Thorets
- Trocaine
- Zetts
- Zilactin
- Zilactin-B
In Canada
- Anbesol Extra Strength
- Anbesol Liquid
- Baby Anbesol
- Baby Orajel
- Baby Orajel Liquid
- Maximum Strength Orajel Pm
- Orajel Extra Strength
Available Dosage Forms:
- Liquid
- Gel/Jelly
- Solution
- Lozenge/Troche
- Lotion
- Ointment
- Powder for Suspension
- Cream
- Tablet, Disintegrating
- Film
- Swab
- Spray
- Gum
- Paste
Therapeutic Class: Anesthetic, Local
Chemical Class: Amino Ester
Uses For Zilactin
Benzocaine lozenges are used to relieve pain and irritation caused by sore throat, sore mouth, or canker sores.
This medicine is available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use and dose for your medical problem.
Before Using Zilactin
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of benzocaine lozenges in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established in children below 5 years of age.
Geriatric
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of benzocaine in geriatric patients.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Infection in or around your mouth or
- Large sores in or around your mouth—The chance of side effects may be increased.
Proper Use of benzocaine
This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain benzocaine. It may not be specific to Zilactin. Please read with care.
Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of this medicine, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than directed. To do so may increase the chance of absorption into the body and the risk of side effects.
This medicine should be used only for problems being treated by your doctor or conditions listed in the package directions. Check with your doctor before using it for other problems, especially if you think that an infection may be present.
Do not use this medicine for more than 2 days without checking first with your doctor.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (lozenges):
- For sore throat and mouth pain:
- Adults, teenagers, and children 5 years of age and older—One lozenge, dissolved slowly in the mouth every 2 hours as needed.
- Children younger than 5 years of age—Use is not recommended.
- For sore throat and mouth pain:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions While Using Zilactin
If your condition does not improve within 7 days, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.
Call your doctor right away if you start to have a severe sore throat or sore throat that occurs with a high fever, headache, nausea, or vomiting. These maybe signs of an infection.
Zilactin Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
- Headache
- high fever
- nausea
- vomiting
- worsening of pain, redness, swelling, or irritation in or around the mouth
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.
The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided “AS IS” and “as available” for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.
zidovudine (Oral route)
30/06/10
zye-DOE-vue-deen
Zidovudine has been associated with hematologic toxicity, including neutropenia and severe anemia, particularly in patients with advanced HIV disease. Prolonged use of zidovudine has been associated with symptomatic myopathy.
Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogues alone or in combination, including zidovudine and other antiretrovirals .
Zidovudine has been associated with hematologic toxicity, including neutropenia and severe anemia, particularly in patients with advanced HIV disease. Prolonged use of zidovudine has been associated with symptomatic myopathy. Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported .
Oral routeCapsuleTabletSyrup
Zidovudine has been associated with hematologic toxicity, including neutropenia and severe anemia, particularly in patients with advanced HIV disease.
Prolonged use of zidovudine has been associated with symptomatic myopathy.
Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogues alone or in combination, including zidovudine and other antiretrovirals. Suspend treatment if clinical or laboratory findings suggestive of lactic acidosis or pronounced hepatotoxicity occur .
Zidovudine has been associated with hematologic toxicity, including neutropenia and severe anemia, particularly in patients with advanced HIV disease. Prolonged use of zidovudine has been associated with symptomatic myopathy. Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported; suspend treatment if clinical or laboratory findings suggestive of lactic acidosis or pronounced hepatotoxicity occur .
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
- Retrovir
Available Dosage Forms:
- Capsule
- Syrup
- Tablet
Therapeutic Class: Antiretroviral Agent
Pharmacologic Class: Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor
Uses For zidovudine
Zidovudine (also known as AZT) is used in combination with other anti-virus medicines for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Zidovudine is used to slow the progression of disease in patients infected with HIV who have advanced symptoms, early symptoms, or no symptoms at all. zidovudine also is used to help prevent pregnant women who have HIV from passing the virus to their babies during pregnancy and at birth.
Zidovudine will not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS. It helps keep HIV from reproducing and appears to slow down the destruction of the immune system. This may help delay the development of problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease. Zidovudine will not keep you from spreading HIV to other people. People who receive zidovudine may continue to have the problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease.
zidovudine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, zidovudine is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection due to occupational exposure (possible prevention of).
Before Using zidovudine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For zidovudine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to zidovudine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of zidovudine in children.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of zidovudine in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving zidovudine.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Using zidovudine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Dapsone
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride
- Flucytosine
- Ganciclovir
- Interferon Alfa
- Pyrazinamide
- Pyrimethamine
- Ribavirin
- Stavudine
- Vinblastine
- Vincristine
- Vincristine Liposome
Using zidovudine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acetaminophen
- Interferon Beta-1a
- Methadone
- Nelfinavir
- Probenecid
- Rifabutin
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
- Tipranavir
- Valproic Acid
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of zidovudine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Blood or bone marrow problems (e.g., anemia, neutropenia) or
- Muscle problems or
- Obesity (overweight)—Use with caution. Zidovudine may make these conditions worse.
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease (including hepatitis)—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
- Low amounts of folic acid or vitamin B12 in the blood—Zidovudine may worsen anemia caused by a decrease of folic acid or vitamin B12.
Proper Use of zidovudine
Take zidovudine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Also, do not stop taking zidovudine without checking with your doctor first.
zidovudine comes with a patient information sheet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Keep taking zidovudine for the full time of treatment , even if you begin to feel better. Only take medicine that your doctor has prescribed specifically for you. Do not share your medicine with other people.
For patients using zidovudine oral solution:
- Shake the oral solution before use. Use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.
zidovudine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. If you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your doctor.
Dosing
The dose of zidovudine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of zidovudine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For HIV infection:
- For oral dosage forms (capsules, solution, and tablets):
- Adults—600 milligrams (mg) a day in divided doses in combination with other anti-virus medicine.
- Children and infants 4 weeks of age and older—Dose is based on body weight or body size and must be determined by your child’s doctor. The recommended dose is 18 to 24 milligrams (mg) per kilogram per day of body weight or 600 mg per day or 480 milligrams per square meter of body surface area (mg/m²) a day in divided doses.
- For oral dosage forms (capsules, solution, and tablets):
- To help prevent pregnant women from passing HIV to their babies during pregnancy and at birth:
- For oral dosage form (capsules):
- Pregnant women (after 14 weeks of pregnancy, up to the start of labor)—100 milligrams (mg) five times a day, 200 mg every eight hours, or 300 mg every twelve hours until the start of labor.
- For oral dosage form (solution):
- Pregnant women (after 14 weeks of pregnancy, up to the start of labor)—100 milligrams (mg) five times a day, 200 mg every eight hours, or 300 mg every twelve hours until the start of labor.
- Newborn infants—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 2 mg per kilogram (kg) (0.9 mg per pound) of body weight every six hours starting within eight to twelve hours of birth and continuing through six weeks of age.
- For oral dosage form (capsules):
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of zidovudine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions While Using zidovudine
It is very important that your doctor check your or your child’s progress at regular visits to make sure that zidovudine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Zidovudine may cause blood problems. These problems may result in a greater chance of certain infections and slow healing. Therefore, you should be careful when using regular toothbrushes, dental floss, and toothpicks not to damage your gums. Check with your medical doctor or dentist if you have any questions about proper oral hygiene (mouth care) during treatment.
Zidovudine may cause some serious side effects, including bone marrow problems. Symptoms of bone marrow problems include fever, chills, or sore throat; pale skin; and unusual tiredness or weakness. These problems may require blood transfusions or temporarily stopping treatment with zidovudine. Check with your doctor if any new health problems or symptoms occur while you or your child are taking zidovudine.
HIV may be acquired from or spread to other people through infected body fluids, including blood, vaginal fluid, or semen. If you are infected, it is best to avoid any sexual activity involving an exchange of body fluids with other people. If you do have sex, always wear (or have your partner wear) a condom (“rubber”). Only use condoms made of latex, and use them every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The use of a spermicide (such as nonoxynol-9) may also help prevent the spread of HIV if it is not irritating to the vagina, rectum, or mouth. Spermicides have been shown to kill HIV in lab tests. Do not use oil-based jelly, cold cream, baby oil, or shortening as a lubricant—these products can cause the condom to break. Lubricants without oil, such as K-Y Jelly, are recommended. Women may wish to carry their own condoms. Birth control pills and diaphragms will help protect against pregnancy, but they will not prevent someone from giving or getting the AIDS virus. If you inject drugs, get help to stop. Do not share needles with anyone. In some cities, more than half of the drug users are infected, and sharing even one needle can spread the virus. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
Two rare but serious reactions to zidovudine are lactic acidosis (too much acid in the blood) and liver toxicity, which includes an enlarged liver. These are more common if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking anti-HIV medicines for a long time. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have more than one of these symptoms: abdominal discomfort or cramping; dark urine; decreased appetite; diarrhea; general feeling of discomfort; light-colored stools; muscle cramping or pain; nausea; unusual tiredness or weakness; trouble breathing; vomiting; or yellow eyes or skin.
When you or your child start taking HIV medicines, your immune system may get stronger. If you have infections that are hidden in your body (e.g., pneumonia or tuberculosis), you may notice new symptoms when your body tries to fight them. If this occurs, tell your doctor right away.
zidovudine may cause you or your child to have excess body fat. Tell your doctor right away if you notice changes in your body shape, including an increased amount of body fat in the neck or upper back, face, around the chest, or stomach area. You might also lose fat from your legs, arms, or face.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
zidovudine Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Fever, chills, or sore throat
- pale skin
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
- Abdominal or stomach discomfort
- confusion
- convulsions (seizures)
- diarrhea
- fast, shallow breathing
- general feeling of discomfort
- loss of appetite
- mood or mental changes
- muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, or cramping
- nausea
- shortness of breath
- sleepiness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- headache (severe)
- lack or loss of strength
- muscle soreness
- trouble with sleeping
- vomiting
- weight loss
Less common
- Bluish-brown colored bands on nails
- changes in skin color
Incidence not known
- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- burning, tingling, numbness or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
- heartburn
- indigestion
- muscle or bone pain
- sensation of pins and needles, stabbing pain
- stomach cramps
- stomach pain
- yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.
The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided “AS IS” and “as available” for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.
