Combivir

Generic Name: lamivudine and zidovudine (la MIV ue deen and zye DOE vue deen)

Brand Names: Combivir

What is lamivudine and zidovudine?

Lamivudine and zidovudine are antiviral medications. They are in a group of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medicines called reverse transcriptase inhibitors. This medication helps keep the HIV virus from reproducing in the body.

The combination of lamivudine and zidovudine is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medication is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Lamivudine and zidovudine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about lamivudine and zidovudine?

The combination of lamivudine and zidovudine (Combivir) should not be taken together with any other medications that contain either of these two drugs. This includes Epivir, Retrovir, Epzicom (abacavir and lamivudine), and Trizivir (abacavir, lamivudine, zidovudine). Before taking lamivudine and zidovudine, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, a pancreas disorder, bone marrow suppression, or problems with your muscles.

Lamivudine and zidovudine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medication, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using lamivudine and zidovudine. Visit your doctor regularly.

Some people develop lactic acidosis while taking lamivudine and zidovudine. Early symptoms may get worse over time and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, slow or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lamivudine and zidovudine?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to lamivudine or zidovudine. The combination of lamivudine and zidovudine (Combivir) should not be taken together with any other medications that contain either of the two drugs. This includes Epivir, Retrovir, Epzicom (abacavir and lamivudine), and Trizivir (abacavir, lamivudine, zidovudine).

To make sure you can safely take lamivudine and zidovudine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;


• liver disease (including hepatitis);


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  pancreatitis;

  
  


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  bone marrow suppression; or

  
  


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  problems with your muscles.

  
  

Some people develop a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking lamivudine and zidovudine. You may be more likely to develop lactic acidosis if you are overweight or have liver disease, if you are a woman, or if you have taken HIV or AIDS medications for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk. FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether lamivudine and zidovudine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of lamivudine and zidovudine on the baby.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk. Do not give this medication to a child who weighs less than 66 pounds.

How should I take lamivudine and zidovudine?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Lamivudine and zidovudine can be taken with or without food.

HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Lamivudine and zidovudine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medication, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using lamivudine and zidovudine. Visit your doctor regularly.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking lamivudine and zidovudine?

The combination of lamivudine and zidovudine (Combivir) should not be taken together with any other medications that contain either of these two drugs. This includes Epivir, Retrovir, Epzicom (abacavir and lamivudine), and Trizivir (abacavir, lamivudine, zidovudine).

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Lamivudine and zidovudine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. This medication may cause lactic acidosis (a build-up of lactic acid in the body, which can be fatal). Lactic acidosis can start slowly and get worse over time. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as:

• 
  

  muscle pain or weakness;

  
  


• 
  

  numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs;

  
  


• 
  

  trouble breathing;

  
  


• 
  

  feeling dizzy, light-headed, tired, or very weak;

  
  


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  stomach pain, nausea with vomiting; or

  
  


• 
  

  slow or uneven heart rate.

  
  

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:

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  fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

  
  


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  pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

  
  


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  trouble swallowing, trouble standing up or climbing stairs;

  
  


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  liver problems (stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes));

  
  


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  pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate); or

  
  


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  white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk);

  
  


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  mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

  
  


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  numbness or tingling;

  
  


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  sleep problems (insomnia);

  
  


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  headache, dizziness, tired feeling; or

  
  


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  cough, runny or stuffy nose.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect lamivudine and zidovudine?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• 
  

  cancer treatments;

  
  


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  stavudine (Zerit);

  
  


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  doxorubicin (Adriamycin);

  
  


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  clarithromycin (Biaxin);

  
  


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  zalcitabine (Hivid);

  
  


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  ganciclovir (Cytovene);

  
  


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  interferon-alfa (Roferon, Intron, Rebetron);

  
  


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  sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim, Proloprim, Septra, Trimpex, SMX-TMP); or

  
  


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  ribavirin (Rebetol, Ribasphere, Copegus Virazole).

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with lamivudine and zidovudine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Combivir resources

• Combivir Side Effects (in more detail)
• Combivir Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Combivir Drug Interactions
• Combivir Support Group
• 1 Review for Combivir - Add your own review/rating

• Combivir Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Combivir Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Combivir MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Combivir Consumer Overview

Compare Combivir with other medications

• HIV Infection
• Nonoccupational Exposure
• Occupational Exposure

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about lamivudine and zidovudine.

See also: Combivir side effects (in more detail)