Table 7. Characteristics of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

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Generic Name Zidovudine
(AZT, ZDV) Didanosine (ddI) Zalcitabine (ddC) Stavudine (d4T) Lamivudine (3TC)

Trade Name Retrovir Videx HIVID Zerit Epivir

Dosing Recommendations 200 mg tid or
300 mg bid or with 3TC as Combivir, 1 bid Tablets
>60kg: 200 mg bid
<60 kg: 125 mg bid 0.75 mg tid >60 kg: 40 mg bid
< 60 kg: 30 mg bid 150 mg bid
<50kg:2mg/kg bid or with ZDV as Combivir 1 bid

Oral bioavailability 60% Tablet: 40%
Powder: 30% 85% 86% 86%

Serum half-life 1.1 hour 1.6 hour 1.2 hour 1.0 hour 3-6 hours

Intracellular half-life 3 hours 25-40 hours 3 hours 3.5 hours 12 hours

Elimination Metabolized to AZT
glucuronide (GAZT)
Renal excretion of GAZT Renal excretion
50% Renal excretion
70% Renal excretion
50% Renal excretion
unchanged

Adverse Events Bone marrow suppression:
Anemia and/or neutropenia
Subjective complaints:
GI intolerance, headache, insomnia, asthenia
Lactic acidosis with hepatic steatosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening toxicity with the use of all NRTIs. Pancreatitis
Peripheral neuropathy
nausea
diarrhea
Lactic acidosis with hepatic steatosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening toxicity with the use of all NRTIs. Drugs Without a Prescription Peripheral neuropathy
Stomatitis
Lactic acidosis with hepatic steatosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening toxicity with the use of all NRTIs. Peripheral neuropathy
Lactic acidosis with hepatic steatosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening toxicity with the use of all NRTIs. (Minimal toxicity)
Lactic acidosis with hepatic steatosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening toxicity with the use of all NRTIs.
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Generic Name	Zidovudine (AZT, ZDV)	Didanosine (ddI)	Zalcitabine (ddC)	Stavudine (d4T)	Lamivudine (3TC)
Trade Name	Retrovir	Videx	HIVID	Zerit	Epivir
Dosing Recommendations	200 mg tid or 300 mg bid or with 3TC as Combivir, 1 bid	Tablets >60kg: 200 mg bid <60 kg: 125 mg bid	0.75 mg tid	>60 kg: 40 mg bid < 60 kg: 30 mg bid	150 mg bid <50kg:2mg/kg bid or with ZDV as Combivir 1 bid
Oral bioavailability	60%	Tablet: 40% Powder: 30%	85%	86%	86%
Serum half-life	1.1 hour	1.6 hour	1.2 hour	1.0 hour	3-6 hours
Intracellular half-life	3 hours	25-40 hours	3 hours	3.5 hours	12 hours
Elimination	Metabolized to AZT glucuronide (GAZT) Renal excretion of GAZT	Renal excretion 50%	Renal excretion 70%	Renal excretion 50%	Renal excretion unchanged
Adverse Events	Bone marrow suppression: Anemia and/or neutropenia Subjective complaints: GI intolerance, headache, insomnia, asthenia Lactic acidosis with hepatic steatosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening toxicity with the use of all NRTIs.	Pancreatitis Peripheral neuropathy nausea diarrhea Lactic acidosis with hepatic steatosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening toxicity with the use of all NRTIs. Drugs Without a Prescription	Peripheral neuropathy Stomatitis Lactic acidosis with hepatic steatosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening toxicity with the use of all NRTIs.	Peripheral neuropathy Lactic acidosis with hepatic steatosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening toxicity with the use of all NRTIs.	(Minimal toxicity) Lactic acidosis with hepatic steatosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening toxicity with the use of all NRTIs.