Zidovudine does not affect transplacental transfer or systemic clearance of stavudine (2',3'-didehydro-3'-deoxythymidine) in the pigtailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina).

Stavudine (22 micrograms/min/kg of body weight) was infused alone (via the femoral vein) or simultaneously with zidovudine (66 micrograms/min/kg) to three near-term pregnant macaques. No significant differences were found between the mean steady-state plasma stavudine concentrations in the dam (Cssd) and fetus (Cssf), the stavudine concentration in the amniotic fluid (Cssa), and the ratios Cssf/Cssd and Cssa/Cssf when stavudine was infused alone or in combination with zidovudine. The data obtained indicate that zidovudine administration does not affect the transfer of stavudine across the placenta in Macaca nemestrina.