What is Lamivudine & Zidovudine?

 

Lamivudine & Zidovudine, also sold under the brands Combivir and Duovir among several other trade names is an antiviral medication consisting of two active ingredients Lamivudine & Zidovudine. This medication belongs to a group of HIV medicines called reverse transcriptase inhibitors that prevent the HIV virus from reproducing in the body.
Lamivudine & Zidovudine is prescribed for the treatment of HIV that causes the disease called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS. However, this medication will not cure the body of HIV or AIDS. This medication may also be given for conditions not mentioned here.

Important Information about Lamivudine & Zidovudine

 

Do not take Lamivudine & Zidovudine anti viral or HIV drug (Combivir, Duovir) if you have a known allergy to it or any medicine that has lamivudine, zidovudine, or emtricitabine. Also, do not take this medication with other medicines that contain lamivudine or zidovudine.

Lactic acidosis has been observed in some people who took Lamivudine & Zidovudine. Initial symptoms of lactic acidosis may deteriorate over time and can prove fatal. Hence you must get medical attention right away on first signs of lactic acidosis such as muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in the limbs, breathing trouble, stomach pain, or nausea with vomiting.

Lamivudine & Zidovudine can also cause severe or life threatening damage to your liver. Seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage: sever pain in upper stomach which advances to the back, nausea and vomiting, fast heartbeats, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay colored stools, or jaundice.

Lamivudine & Zidovudine can lower the count of white blood cells, the component of blood that helps the body to fight infections. You must take necessary precautions to avoid getting infected such as not being near sick people or avoiding activities that increases the risk of bleeding. Let your doctor know right away if you get any signs of an infection while taking this medication.

Lamivudine is an FDA pregnancy category C drug. It is not known if it can harm an unborn baby if taken while being pregnant. HIV can be transmitted to your baby if you are not treated properly during pregnancy. This medication can pass into breast milk and harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication if you are breast feeding. Breast feeding is however, not recommended for HIV positive women as they can pass the virus to their baby. You must notify your doctor in advance about your pregnancy, any plans for pregnancy and if you breast feed.

If you have Hepatitis B, you may develop liver symptoms even after stopping Lamivudine & Zidovudine and the symptoms may be seen for months after stopping. You may be required to take regular tests to monitor your liver function.

Before taking Lamivudine & Zidovudine

 

Before taking Lamivudine & Zidovudine, take care of all precautions mentioned above. Discuss them with your doctor and clear all doubts which you may have about this drug. 

To be sure that Lamivudine & Zidovudine is safe for you, inform your doctor in advance if you have any of the following conditions: kidney disease, bone marrow suppression, or if you have used other HIV drugs in the past.

How should I take Lamivudine & Zidovudine?

 

Take Lamivudine & Zidovudine HIV/AIDS medication (Combivir, Duovir) strictly according to your doctor’s direction or according to the instructions on the medication label. Do not alter the dosage unless your doctor advises you to do so. Also, do not take this medication after the prescribed period is over. All medications come with a patient leaflet. Refer the instructions in them for detailed information on that particular medication.

You may take Lamivudine & Zidovudine with or without food. HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Always take the prescribed drugs as directed by your doctor. Store this medication in a cool and dry place. Always store Lamivudine & Zidovudine in a cool and dry place.

What if I miss a dose?

 

If you miss a dose of Lamivudine & Zidovudine, take it as soon as you remember. Don’t take the missed dose if the time to take the next dose is almost up. Taking multiple doses near to each other can lead to excess medication in your body which can be harmful.

What if I overdose?

 

In case of an overdose of Lamivudine & Zidovudine, get emergency medical attention or call the Doctor immediately. Overdose can cause some of the side effects listed below in this guide.

Things and Activities to avoid while taking Lamivudine & Zidovudine

 

Lamivudine & Zidovudine can lower the count of white blood cells, the component of blood that helps the body to fight infections. You must take necessary precautions to avoid getting infected such as not being near sick people or avoiding activities that increases the risk of bleeding. Let your doctor know right away if you get any signs of an infection while taking this medication.
Lamivudine & Zidovudine will not help your body get rid of HIV/AIDS. It will stop the growth and multiplication of the virus. Chances of spreading the HIV will still remain the same through unprotected sex, infected razors or toothbrush. Hence, avoid these activities and things.

Lamivudine & Zidovudine Side Effects

 

Some common side effects of Lamivudine & Zidovudine are nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, or diarrhea. If any of these effects persist or deteriorate, seek medical attention right away.

Some people may experience a deteriorating of a previous medical condition as their immune system recovers, or develop new conditions due to overactive immune system. Let your doctor known right away if you develop any new condition or any of you existing conditions worsen.

Lactic acidosis has been observed in some people who took Lamivudine & Zidovudine. Initial symptoms of lactic acidosis may deteriorate over time and can prove fatal. Hence you must get medical attention right away on first signs of lactic acidosis such as muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in the limbs, breathing trouble, stomach pain, or nausea with vomiting.

Lamivudine & Zidovudine can also cause severe or life threatening damage to your liver or pancreas. Seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver or pancreas damage: sever pain in upper stomach which advances to the back, nausea and vomiting, fast heartbeats, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay colored stools, or jaundice.

The side effects mentioned above are not the only ones that you may experience or witness due to Lamivudine & Zidovudine. If you get any serious side effects due to this medication, contact your doctor right away. 

Lamivudine & Zidovudine Dosing Information

 

Lamivudine & Zidovudine dosage may depend on a range of factors like age, sex, drug allergies, or seriousness of the condition among several other factors. Your dosage will be determined by your doctor after examining you properly. Remember to follow your doctor’s advice properly for best results.

 

Interaction with other drugs

 

Inform your doctor if you use any of the following drugs: anti viral drugs such as ganciclovir, anti cancer drugs such as doxorubicin, interferons, or sulfa drugs. These drugs can potentially interact with Lamivudine & Zidovudine. However, these are not all the possible drugs that can interact with Lamivudine & Zidovudine. There may be others. You must inform your doctor in advance if you use any medicines or related products. Never start a new medicine without consulting a doctor first.