Combivir for HIV: Side Effects, Dosing, Prescribing Information

What what is lamivudine and zidovudine, and what is it used for?

• Combivir is used, in combination with other agents,
  for the treatment of
  HIV infection.

What brand names are available for lamivudine and zidovudine?

Combivir

Is lamivudine and zidovudine available as a generic drug?

Yes

Do I need a prescription for lamivudine and zidovudine?

Yes.

What are the side effects of lamivudine and zidovudine?

The most serious side effects of Combivir are

• a decrease in blood cells,
• muscle pain (myopathy),
• muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis),
• pancreatitis,
• liver enlargement,
• immune reconstitution syndrome,
• exacerbation of hepatitis B,
• fatty liver,
• hypersensitivity reactions, and
• metabolic disturbance (lactic acidosis).

Other side effects include

• chills,
• rash,
• abdominal pain,
• nausea and vomiting,
• weight loss,
• headache,
• diarrhea,
• weakness,
• cough, and
• insomnia.

Accumulation or redistribution of fat also may occur.

What is the dosage for lamivudine and zidovudine?

• For the treatment of HIV infection, the recommended oral dose for adults or children weighing 30 kg or more is one tablet twice daily.
• Combivir is administered without regard to meals since food does not affect its absorption.

Which drugs or supplements interact with lamivudine and zidovudine?

• Fluconazole (Diflucan),
  probenecid,
  trimethoprim (Trimpex)
  and valproic acid (Depakote) reduce the elimination of zidovudine and therefore
  increase the concentration in blood of zidovudine. This can lead to increased
  side effects from zidovudine.
• Lamivudine and zalcitabine (Hivid) reduce the action of one another.
  Therefore Combivir should not be combined with zalcitabine.
  Stavudine (Zerit) or
  doxorubicin reduce the activity of zidovudine and should not be combined with
  Combivir.
• Combining zidovudine with ganciclovir (Cytovene),
  interferon alfa,
  ribavirin
  (Rebetol), or other drugs that suppress
  bone marrow production of blood cells
  increases the effect of zidovudine on production of blood cells.

What is HIV?
See Answer

Is lamivudine and zidovudine safe to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

• Use of Combivir
  during
  pregnancy has not been adequately
  evaluated. However, use of zidovudine by HIV infected women reduces the transmission of HIV to the baby.
• Use of Combivir by
  nursing mothers has not been
  studied. Lamivudine and zidovudine are excreted in
  breast milk. HIV infected
  mothers should not breast feed because of the potential risk of transmitting HIV
  to an infant that is not infected.

What else should I know about lamivudine and zidovudine?

What preparations of lamivudine and zidovudine are available?

Tablets: 150/300 mg (lamivudine/zidovudine)

How should I keep lamivudine and zidovudine stored?

The tablets should be stored at 2 C to 30 C (36 F to 86 F).