Zidovudine Overdosage
Authors: J B Spear, H A Kessler, S N Lehrman, P de Miranda
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1988)

Brief Reports1 July 1988Zidovudine OverdosageJoel B. Spear, MD, Harold A. Kessler, MD, Sandra Nusinoff Lehrman, MD, Paulo de Miranda, PhDJoel B. Spear, MDSearch for more papers by this author, Harold A. Kessler, MDSearch for more papers by this author, Sandra Nusinoff Lehrman, MDSearch for more papers by this author, Paulo de Miranda, PhDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-109-1-76 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptZidovudine (also known as azidothymidine or AZT) is a 2′,3′-dideoxynucleoside analogue with antiviral activity against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Preclinical toxicity studies (1) of zidovudine administered to rats and mice showed that greater than 750 mg/kg body weight is an acute lethal intravenous dose. Signs of acute toxicity included labored breathing, decreased activity, and ptosis. In all survivors physical signs were normal within 2 hours of dosing, and no abnormalities were noted when the animals were killed 14 days after dosing. We report the first case of acute zidovudine overdosage in humans.A 26-year-old man with the acquired immunodeficiency...References1. Ayers K. Preclinical toxicology. In: Retrovir: Investigators/Clinicians Forum Summary Report. New York: World Health Communications; 1987:8-10. Google Scholar2. Good S and Reynolds D. Simultaneous quantitation of the anti-HIV agent, 3-azido-3′deoxythymidine, and its glucuronide in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In: Program and Abstracts of the 27th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Washington, D.C.: American Society for Microbiology; 1987:162. Google Scholar3. Davtyan D and Vinters H. Wernicke's encephalopathy in an AIDS patient treated with zidovudine. Lancet. 1987;1:919-20. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Hagler D and Frame P. Azidothymidine neurotoxicity [Letter]. Lancet. 1986;2:1392-3. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Perry S and Tross S. Psychiatric problems of AIDS inpatients at the New York Hospital: preliminary report. Public Health Rep. 1984;99:200-5. MedlineGoogle Scholar6. Richman D, Fischl M, and Grieco M. The toxicity of azidothymidine (AZT) in the treatment of patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. N Engl J Med. 1987;317:192-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Joel B. Spear, MD; Harold A. Kessler, MD; Sandra Nusinoff Lehrman, MD; Paulo de Miranda, PhDFrom Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byDrugs Used in the Management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeDrug-induced ocular side effectsDrug-induced ocular side effectsAntiviral AgentsKetoconazole and zidovudine overdoseZidovudine Overdose in an Asymptomatic HIV Seropositive Patient With HemophiliaAids: Part IIHyaline globules reacting positively with zidovudine antibody in brain and spinal cord of AIDS patientsZidovudine OverdoseZidovudine Overdose in a ChildSEIZURE AFTER ZIDOVUDINE OVERDOSEOVERDOSAGE OF ZIDOVUDINEThe Rocky Road to Effective Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) InfectionMartin S. Hirsch, MDMiscellaneous antibacterial and antiviral drugs 1 July 1988Volume 109, Issue 1Page: 76-77KeywordsAzidothymidineBody weightBreathingHIVImmunodeficienciesInterleukinsPatientsPtosisResearch laboratoriesToxicity ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 July 1988 PDF downloadLoading ...