SHORT-TERM, COMBINED USE OF PARACETAMOL AND ZIDOVUDINE DOES NOT ALTER THE PHARMACOKINETICS OF EITHER DRUG

Objective: To investigate a possible pharmacokinetic interaction between zidovudine and paracetamol. Methods: Six patients with AIDS took both zidovudine (AZT; 1000-1200 mg/day) and paracetamol (500 mg every 6 h) for 7 days. Pharmacokinetic monitoring was performed on day 0 (AZT alone) and after 7 days of combined use of paracetamol and AZT. Results: Combined use of paracetamol and AZT did not result in a significant change in any of the calculated pharmacokinetic parameters of AZT or its primary metabolite AZT-glucuronide. In addition, paracetamol pharmacokinetic parameters at day 7 did not differ from those usually reported in the literature. Conclusion: Short-term, combined use of paracetamol and AZT does not lead to a change in the pharmacokinetics of either AZT or paracetamol. The effect of long-term use of this combination remains unknown. A recent case report of AZT-induced paracetamol hepatotoxicity [Am J Med 1992;93:94-961 indicates that clinicians should still be aware of potential drug toxicity when prescribing both AZT and paracetamol.