Lamivudine/Zidovudine Viatris 150/300 (Lamivudine And Zidovudine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Lamivudine/Zidovudine Viatris 150/300 Used For?
Lamivudine/Zidovudine Viatris 150/300 is an antiretroviral medication that combines two active ingredients to help manage HIV infection.
Primary Uses
This medication is used alone or with other antiretroviral medicines to slow down the progression of HIV infection, which can lead to AIDS and related illnesses like AIDS-related Complex (ARC).
How It Works
The medication slows down HIV production in your body, helping to stop ongoing damage to your immune system that fights infections. It does not cure AIDS or HIV infection, but helps control the condition.
Important to know: You can still pass on HIV when taking this medicine through sexual activity or blood contact, although the risk is lowered by antiretroviral therapy. Take proper precautions to prevent transmission.
How to Take Lamivudine/Zidovudine Viatris 150/300
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor to ensure it works effectively.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one tablet twice a day. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not break or halve the tablet. Take it regularly at the same time each day.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then return to your normal schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Continue taking this medication every day as it controls your condition but doesn’t cure it.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Flu-like symptoms, cough, sore throat, chills
- Feeling faint, skin disorders, constipation
- Blood in stool, severe headaches
- Loss of appetite, loss of mental clarity, depression
- Vision problems, muscle aches
- Difficulty swallowing, hair loss
- Dizziness, confusion, nervousness
- Numbness, burning, tingling sensations
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
- Mouth ulcers, bleeding gums, heartburn
- Skin rash, acne, itchiness
- Weight loss, fatigue, weakness
- Hoarseness, taste changes
- Muscle pain or spasms, back pain
- Frequent urination, chest pain
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Reduced red or white blood cell count
- Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting (signs of pancreatitis)
- Swelling of lips/tongue, wheezing, difficulty breathing (allergic reactions)
- Fast breathing (may indicate lactic acidosis)
- Changes in body fat distribution
- Symptoms of liver problems (loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, itching, yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine)
Immune System Recovery Reactions
Within the first few weeks of treatment, some people may develop inflammatory reactions (pain, redness, swelling, fever) that resemble infections. This happens as your immune system recovers and starts fighting previously suppressed infections.
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before taking this medication.
Who Should Not Take Lamivudine/Zidovudine Viatris 150/300
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to lamivudine, zidovudine, or any ingredients; have kidney or liver disease; have reduced red blood cell count (anemia) or white blood cell count (neutropenia); are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have hepatitis B or liver problems, as the infection may flare up. If you have both HIV and hepatitis B, your doctor will arrange regular tests when you stop taking this medication.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take this medication if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, unless your doctor specifically says you should. Your doctor can discuss the benefits and risks with you.
Age Restriction: This medication is not recommended for children under 12 years of age as it’s a fixed-dose combination that cannot be adjusted for smaller patients.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with how this medicine works. Always tell your healthcare providers about all medicines you’re taking.
Contraindicated combinations: This medication should not be taken with stavudine or zalcitabine.
- Paracetamol (requires particular care)
- Pain medicines (aspirin, codeine, morphine, methadone, indomethacin, ketoprofen, naproxen)
- Ribavirin (may cause or worsen anemia)
- Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin)
- Anxiety and sleep medicines (oxazepam, lorazepam)
- Rifampicin (tuberculosis treatment)
- Cimetidine (heartburn/ulcer treatment)
- Clofibrate (cholesterol treatment)
- Probenecid (gout treatment)
- Antimicrobial medicines (pentamidine, atovaquone)
- Parasite infection treatments (pyrimethamine, dapsone)
- Antifungal medicines (amphotericin B, flucytosine)
- Other antiviral medicines (aciclovir, ganciclovir, interferon, stavudine, zalcitabine)
- Antibiotics (clarithromycin, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin)
- Cancer treatments (adriamycin, vincristine, vinblastine, doxorubicin)
- Sorbitol-containing liquid medicines used regularly
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with activities requiring alertness until you know how this medication affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the source material. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how this medication affects you. The medication may cause headaches and tiredness in some people, but generally doesn’t cause problems with driving ability when taken alone.
Storage
Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep tablets in the bottle until it’s time to take them. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too much of this medication, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
This medication helps control HIV infection by slowing down virus production in your body. You’ll need regular blood tests to monitor its effectiveness and check for side effects. It works continuously to help prevent damage to your immune system.
The medication should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water. The source doesn’t specify whether it needs to be taken with or without food, so follow your doctor’s specific instructions.
No, this is an antiretroviral medication used to treat HIV infection and is not addictive. However, you must take it regularly as prescribed to maintain its effectiveness in controlling your condition.
Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly or change the dose without talking to your doctor. Since it controls your condition but doesn’t cure it, stopping could allow your HIV infection to worsen. If you have hepatitis B, stopping may cause it to flare up.
The source doesn’t provide specific information about alcohol interactions. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking this medication.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
No, you should swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not halve or break the tablet as it’s a fixed-dose combination that cannot be adjusted.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.