Zidovudine

Detailed information

Fass environmental information

Fass environmental information for Retrovir (zidovudin) from GlaxoSmithKline (retrieved on 2025-08-29).

Hazard

Persistence: Zidovudine has been assessed for its biodegradability. In a 28-day OECD 301B test, only 0.23 % degradation was observed, indicating that the substance is not readily biodegradable. Inherent biodegradability was also absent, with 0 % degradation in the OECD 302B test. However, 50 % primary degradation (loss of parent compound) occurred within three days. Regarding abiotic degradation, hydrolysis studies (OECD 111) showed a half-life exceeding one year at pH 7, suggesting very slow degradation. No data are available for photolysis. Based on these results, the phrase “Zidovudine is potentially persistent” has been chosen.

Bioaccumulation: Log K_ow = 0.06.

Toxicity: There are data for 1 trophic level, crustaceans Daphnia magna) NOEC 16000 microg/L.

Risk

PEC = 0.000114 µg/L. Sales data from Sweden, 2023.

Risk of environmental impact of zidovudine cannot be excluded, since there is not sufficient ecotoxicity data available.

EMA’s scientific discussion

EMA’s scientific discussion for Combivir (lamivudine, zidovudine), London, 20 September 2007.

"Scored tablets are intended to replace the non-scored tablets or the use of liquid formulations of lamivudine and zidovudine. Therefore in agreement with the MAH proposal the CHMP concluded that there was no relevant additional environmental burden associated with this submission.

Other information

No additional environmental information on zidovudine has been found on the EMA website as of 29 August 2025.