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Zidovudine is an antiretroviral medication used to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. Anaemia is a common side effect of zidovudine therapy, particularly in patients with advanced HIV disease. The mechanism of zidovudine-induced anaemia is multifactorial and involves bone marrow suppression, haemolysis, and inhibition of erythropoietin production.
Patients receiving zidovudine therapy should have regular monitoring of their haemoglobin levels, and treatment of anaemia may be required if haemoglobin levels fall below a certain threshold. In some cases, erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) may be used to stimulate the production of red blood cells.
It is important to note that the use of ESAs in zidovudine-treated HIV-infected patients is controversial and may increase the risk of adverse outcomes such as cardiovascular events and thromboembolism. Therefore, the decision to use ESAs should be based on a careful assessment of the risks and benefits for each individual patient. In addition, treatment of anaemia should be accompanied by measures to identify and manage any underlying causes of anaemia, such as opportunistic infections or nutritional deficiencies.