Hematologic toxicity of zidovudine in HIV-infected patients.
Zidovudine is now used extensively in an effort to control infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The drug is associated with major hematologic toxicity, especially anemia and granulocytopenia. Conservative management of hematologic toxicity includes dosage reduction or cessation of therapy, diagnosis and treatment of chronic debilitating diseases, and supportive care, such as blood transfusions. New investigational agents, including hematopoietic growth factors, are being studied to combat the toxicities associated with zidovudine. The efficacy of these agents has yet to be established. Recent advances in drug efficacy at reduced dosage and in combination therapy promise to permit use of zidovudine with markedly reduced toxicity.
University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno.
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D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors; D006133:Growth Substances; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D015215:Zidovudine; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor