Hepatotoxicity and Rash Associated with Zidovudine and Zalcitabine Chemoprophylaxis

Letters1 May 1996Hepatotoxicity and Rash Associated with Zidovudine and Zalcitabine ChemoprophylaxisKeith Henry, MD, Edward P. Acosta, PharmD, and Elise Jochimsen, MDKeith Henry, MDSt. Paul Ramsey Medical Center; St. Paul, MN 55101University of Minnesota; Minneapolis, MN 55455Search for more papers by this author, Edward P. Acosta, PharmDSt. Paul Ramsey Medical Center; St. Paul, MN 55101University of Minnesota; Minneapolis, MN 55455Search for more papers by this author, and Elise Jochimsen, MDSt. Paul Ramsey Medical Center; St. Paul, MN 55101University of Minnesota; Minneapolis, MN 55455Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-124-9-199605010-00014 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:We describe two nurses who developed severe rash and hepatoxicity while receiving zidovudine and zalcitabine for chemoprophylaxis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.A 57-year-old nurse was stuck in the palm with a needle that was visibly contaminated with the blood of a patient who had the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and had been receiving long-term zidovudine treatment. Within 3 hours of the injury, the nurse began receiving zidovudine. Because of concerns about drug resistance, zalcitabine was added the following day. After 3 weeks of therapy, the nurse developed fever, nausea, vomiting, and pruritic rash over her ...References1. Fischl MA, Stanley K, Collier AC, Arduino JM, Stein DS, Feinberg JE, et al. Combination and monotherapy with zidovudine and zalcitabine in patients with advanced disease. Ann Intern Med. 1995; 122:24-32. Google Scholar2. Gradon JD, Chapnick EK, Sepkowitz DV. Zidovudine-induced hepatitis. J Intern Med. 1992; 231:317-9. Google Scholar3. Dubin G, Braffman MN. Zidovudine-induced hepatitis. Ann Intern Med. 1989; 110:85-6. Google Scholar4. Shriner K, Goetz MB. Severe hepatotoxicity in a patient receiving both acetaminophen and zidovudine. Am J Med. 1992; 93:94-6. Google Scholar5. Wassef M, Keiser P. Hypersensitivity to zidovudine: report of a case and review of the literature. Clin Infect Dis. 1995; 20:1387-9. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center; St. Paul, MN 55101University of Minnesota; Minneapolis, MN 55455 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByOccupational Blood Borne Infections: Prevention is Better than CureOccupational Exposure to HIV in Health Care SettingsSpare non-occupational HIV post-exposure prophylaxis by active contacting and testing of the source personPostexposure prophylaxis for occupational exposure to HIV has its risksTolerability of Postexposure Antiretroviral Prophylaxis for Occupational Exposures to HIVDiscussion: Zidovudine toxicity in uninfected healthcare workersZalcitabine/zidovudine 1 May 1996Volume 124, Issue 9Page: 855KeywordsAIDSDrug therapyFeversHIVHIV infectionsLiverLymphopeniaNauseaNursesRashes Issue Published: 1 May 1996 CopyrightCopyright © 1996 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...