<p>Zidovudine, a nucleoside&nbsp;reverse transcriptase&nbsp;inhibitor, is indicated in combination with other&nbsp;antiretroviral&nbsp;agents for the treatment of&nbsp;HIV-1 infection.<br />
<br />
Prevention Of Maternal-Fetal HIV-1 Transmission Zidovudine is indicated for the prevention of maternal-fetal HIV-1 transmission. The indication is based on a dosing regimen that included 3 components:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Antepartum therapy of HIV-1&ndash;infected mothers</li>
	<li>Intrapartum therapy of HIV-1&ndash;infected mothers</li>
	<li>Post-partum therapy of HIV-1&ndash;exposed&nbsp;neonate</li>
</ul>

<p>Points to consider prior to initiatingZidovudine in pregnant women for the prevention of maternal-fetal HIV-1 transmission include:</p>

<ul>
	<li>In most cases,Zidovudine for prevention of maternal-fetal HIV-1 transmission should be given in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.</li>
	<li>Prevention of HIV-1 transmission in women who have receivedZidovudine for a prolonged period before pregnancy has not been evaluated.</li>
	<li>Because the fetus is most susceptible to the potential&nbsp;teratogenic&nbsp;effects of drugs during the first 10 weeks of gestation and the risks of therapy withZidovudine during that period are not fully known, women in the first trimester of pregnancy who do not require immediate initiation of&nbsp;antiretroviral therapy&nbsp;for their own health may consider delaying use; this indication is based on use after 14 weeks&rsquo; gestation.</li>
</ul>