Drug interactions
Emtricitabine + Zidovudine
Severity: Minor
Emtricitabine and Zidovudine: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome occurs as a class effect of starting effective antiretroviral therapy and not because of a specific interaction between these drugs. They have been used together without a significant pharmacokinetic interaction.
What this interaction means in plain words
Emtricitabine and Zidovudine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Emtricitabine belongs to Anti Virals; Zidovudine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
No direct interaction; immune reconstitution results from restored immune function with antiretroviral therapy.
What to do
No change to therapy is needed. Monitor for new inflammatory symptoms of opportunistic infection after starting treatment.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Zidovudine
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Stavudine + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Carboplatin + Zidovudine Major
- Cisplatin + Zidovudine Major
Other interactions of Emtricitabine
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Emtricitabine Contraindicated
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Emtricitabine Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Emtricitabine Major
- Elivaldogene autotemcel + Emtricitabine Major
- Emtricitabine + Lamivudine Major
- Emtricitabine + Lovotibeglogene autotemcel Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Emtricitabine with Zidovudine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Emtricitabine and Zidovudine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome occurs as a class effect of starting effective antiretroviral therapy and not because of a specific interaction between these drugs. They have been used together without a significant pharmacokinetic interaction.
How serious is the interaction between Emtricitabine and Zidovudine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No change to therapy is needed. Monitor for new inflammatory symptoms of opportunistic infection after starting treatment.
What other medicines interact with Zidovudine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zidovudine with, for example, Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df, Stavudine, Atidarsagene autotemcel. The full list is on the Zidovudine page.
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