What it's used for
Zidovudine tablets are used in combination with other antiretroviral agents to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection and to prevent maternal-fetal HIV-1 transmission.
Source: U.S. FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA).
Typical dosing
For HIV-1 treatment in adults, the recommended oral dosage is 300 mg twice daily with other antiretrovirals, while pediatric dosage is based on body weight.
Dosing shown here is the general FDA-labeled range. Your prescribing clinician determines the exact dose, form, and schedule for you — this is not a substitute for medical advice.
Boxed warning / key safety info
Zidovudine has been associated with hematologic toxicity such as neutropenia and severe anemia, particularly in patients with advanced HIV-1 disease, as well as symptomatic myopathy with prolonged use.
Common side effects
Reported adverse reactions include blood disorders like neutropenia and anemia, symptomatic myopathy, lactic acidosis with severe hepatomegaly, and hepatic decompensation.
Covered strengths on the Tab $0 list
Covered at $0 with an active Tab membership when filled at a participating pharmacy nationwide or through mail order. A licensed clinician must prescribe the medication.
Related medications
Other antibiotics & antivirals medications covered at $0 with an active Tab membership.
Zidovudine cost without insurance
Cash prices for Zidovudine without insurance vary widely by pharmacy, strength and quantity — the same prescription can cost very different amounts at two pharmacies in the same town. That is the problem a membership solves.
Zidovudine is on Tab's covered $0 generic list. With an active Tab membership, every covered strength is $0 — not a percentage off, not a coupon that changes month to month — at participating pharmacies nationwide or through mail order. You do not need insurance, and Tab works whether or not you have a health plan.
Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications require a prescription from a licensed clinician.
Zidovudine dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION • Adults and Adolescents weighing greater than or equal to 30 kg: 1 tablet orally twice daily. (2.1) • Pediatrics weighing greater than or equal to 30 kg: 1 tablet orally twice daily. (2.2) • Because lamivudine and zidovudine tablet is a fixed-dose tablet and cannot be dose adjusted, lamivudine and zidovudine tablet is not recommended in patients requiring dosage adjustment or with hepatic impairment or experiencing dose-limiting adverse reactions. (2.3, 4) 2.1 Recommended Dosage for Adults and Adolescents The recommended dosage of lamivudine and zidovudine tablet in HIV-1-infected adults and adolescents weighing greater than or equal to 30 kg is 1 tablet (containing 150 mg of lamivudine and 300 mg of zidovudine) taken orally twice daily.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Your prescribing clinician decides the exact dose, form and schedule for you — this is not medical advice.
Zidovudine side effects
The following adverse reactions are discussed in other sections of the labeling: • Hematologic toxicity, including neutropenia and anemia [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. • Symptomatic myopathy [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. • Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]. • Exacerbations of hepatitis B [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]. • Hepatic decompensation in patients co-infected with HIV-1 and hepatitis C [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]. • Exacerbation of anemia in HIV-1/HCV co-infected patients receiving ribavirin and zidovudine [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]. • Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]. • Immune reconstitution syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)].
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. This is not a complete list. Report side effects to your clinician, and seek care for anything severe or unexpected.
Zidovudine drug interactions
• Agents antagonistic with zidovudine: Concomitant use should be avoided. (7.1) • Hematologic/bone marrow suppressive/cytotoxic agents: May increase the hematologic toxicity of zidovudine. (7.1) • Sorbitol: Coadministration of lamivudine and sorbitol may decrease lamivudine concentrations; when possible, avoid chronic coadministration. (7.2) • Agents antagonistic with zidovudine: Concomitant use should be avoided. (7.1) • Hematologic/bone marrow suppressive/cytotoxic agents: May increase the hematologic toxicity of zidovudine. (7.1) • Sorbitol: Coadministration of lamivudine and sorbitol may decrease lamivudine concentrations; when possible, avoid chronic coadministration.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician and pharmacist about every medication, supplement and over-the-counter product you take.
Who should not take zidovudine
Lamivudine and zidovudine tablets are contraindicated in patients with a previous hypersensitivity reaction to lamivudine or zidovudine. Lamivudine and zidovudine tablets are contraindicated in patients with a previous hypersensitivity reaction to lamivudine or zidovudine. (4)
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Whether this medication is appropriate for you is a clinical decision made by your prescribing clinician.
Common questions
Is zidovudine covered at $0 with Tab?
Yes. Zidovudine is on Tab's covered $0 generic list — every covered strength is $0 with an active membership, at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
Do I need insurance to get zidovudine through Tab?
No. Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications are $0 with an active membership whether or not you have a health plan.
How do I get a zidovudine prescription with Tab?
Book a video visit with a licensed Tab clinician (unlimited visits are included with membership). If it's clinically appropriate, they send the prescription to your chosen participating pharmacy or by mail order.
How much does zidovudine cost without insurance?
Without insurance, retail cash prices for zidovudine vary by pharmacy, strength and quantity. Zidovudine is on Tab's covered $0 generic list, so every covered strength is $0 with an active Tab membership at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
What is the cheapest way to get zidovudine?
For medications on Tab's covered list, a Tab membership is the cheapest route: covered strengths of zidovudine are $0 with an active membership, and unlimited video visits with a licensed clinician are included, so the visit that produces the prescription is covered too.
What is the usual dose of zidovudine?
2 DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION • Adults and Adolescents weighing greater than or equal to 30 kg: 1 tablet orally twice daily. (2.1) • Pediatrics weighing greater than or equal to 30 kg: 1 tablet orally twice daily. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Your clinician sets your dose.)
What are the side effects of zidovudine?
The following adverse reactions are discussed in other sections of the labeling: • Hematologic toxicity, including neutropenia and anemia [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. • Symptomatic myopathy [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. • Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15.)
What interacts with zidovudine?
• Agents antagonistic with zidovudine: Concomitant use should be avoided. (7.1) • Hematologic/bone marrow suppressive/cytotoxic agents: May increase the hematologic toxicity of zidovudine. (7.1) • Sorbitol: Coadministration of lamivudine and sorbitol may decrease lamivudine concentrations; when possible, avoid chronic coadministration. (7.2) • Agents antagonistic with zidovudine: Concomitant use should be avoided. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician about every medication and supplement you take.)
Zidovudine is $0 on the covered list
Members pay $0 for covered generics at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order — plus unlimited virtual primary care, urgent care and dermatology visits. No insurance needed.
Solo $49/mo · Family $119/mo for up to 4 people · Family+ $149/mo for up to 8
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