Combivir (Lamivudine And Zidovudine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Combivir Used For?
Combivir is an antiretroviral medication that combines two active ingredients – lamivudine and zidovudine – to help manage HIV infection.
Primary Uses
Combivir is used alone or with other antiretroviral medicines to slow down the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and related illnesses like AIDS-related Complex (ARC).
How It Works
Combivir does not cure AIDS or HIV infection, but it slows down HIV production in your body. This helps prevent ongoing damage to your immune system that fights infections. You can still pass HIV to others while taking this medicine, though the risk is reduced with antiretroviral therapy.
Good to know: While taking Combivir, you may continue to develop other infections, so stay in regular contact with your doctor for monitoring.
How to Take Combivir
Combivir should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor to be most effective in managing your HIV infection.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one tablet twice daily. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water – do not break or halve the tablet. Take Combivir regularly at the same time each day as directed by your doctor.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Important: Never stop taking Combivir suddenly or change your dose without talking to your doctor first.
Available Tablet Strengths
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:
- Headache and tiredness
- Flu-like symptoms, fever, sweating, chills
- Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
- Diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain
- Muscle aches, pains, or weakness
- Dizziness, confusion, depression
- Cough, sore throat
- Skin rash, itchiness, acne
- Weight loss
- Sleep problems
- Changes in taste perception
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Reduced red blood cell count (anemia) – more common in advanced HIV
- Reduced white blood cell count (neutropenia)
- Allergic reactions: swelling of lips/tongue, wheezing, difficulty breathing, rash, hives
- Pancreatitis: severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting
- Lactic acidosis: fast breathing due to high acid levels in blood
- Loss of fat from legs, arms, and face (lipoatrophy)
- Liver problems: enlarged fatty liver, abnormal liver function tests
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations and medical conditions that may affect whether Combivir is right for you.
Who Should Not Take Combivir
Do not use Combivir if you are allergic to lamivudine, zidovudine, or any ingredients in the medication. Also avoid if you have kidney or liver disease, reduced red blood cell count (anemia), reduced white blood cell count (neutropenia), or if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially if you have or have had hepatitis B. If you have both HIV and hepatitis B, stopping Combivir may cause hepatitis B to flare up, which can be serious if your liver is already not working well.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor can discuss the benefits and risks of taking Combivir during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Children: Combivir is not recommended for children under 12 years of age as it cannot be adjusted for their size and weight.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Combivir and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Important: Combivir should not be taken with stavudine or zalcitabine.
- Paracetamol and other pain medicines (aspirin, codeine, morphine, methadone, indomethacin, ketoprofen, naproxen)
- Ribavirin (may cause or worsen anemia)
- Epilepsy medicines including phenytoin
- Anxiety and sleep medicines (oxazepam, lorazepam)
- Rifampicin for tuberculosis
- Cimetidine for heartburn and stomach ulcers
- Clofibrate for high cholesterol
- Probenecid for gout
- Antimicrobial medicines (pentamidine, atovaquone)
- Parasite infection medicines (pyrimethamine, dapsone)
- Antifungal medicines (amphotericin, flucytosine)
- Other antiviral medicines (aciclovir, ganciclovir, interferon, stavudine, zalcitabine)
- Antibacterial medicines (clarithromycin, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin)
- Cancer medicines (vincristine, vinblastine, doxorubicin)
- Sorbitol-containing liquid medicines used regularly
Alcohol & Driving
Combivir may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings were mentioned in the source material. Discuss alcohol use with your doctor.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Combivir affects you. This medicine may cause headache and tiredness in some people, which could impair your ability to drive safely.
Storage
Store Combivir below 30°C in the original pack. Keep in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Take expired or unwanted medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Combivir, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine or have no symptoms of poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Combivir works by slowing down HIV production in your body rather than providing immediate symptom relief. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular blood tests to check how well the medication is working for you.
The medication guide doesn’t specify whether to take Combivir with or without food. You should swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the best time to take it in relation to meals.
Never stop taking Combivir suddenly or change your dose without talking to your doctor. If you have both HIV and hepatitis B, stopping Combivir may cause hepatitis B to flare up, which can be serious. You need to keep taking it every day to prevent your illness from getting worse.
Yes, weight loss and loss of appetite are listed as possible side effects of Combivir. The medication may also cause loss of fat from legs, arms, and face (lipoatrophy). If you experience significant weight changes, tell your doctor.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
No, Combivir is not recommended for children under 12 years of age. It’s a fixed-dose combination tablet that cannot be adjusted according to a child’s size and weight. Never give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar.
Yes, your doctor will arrange regular blood tests to monitor your health and check your red and white blood cell levels. This is important because Combivir can cause anemia or neutropenia, and your doctor may need to adjust your dose or stop the medication if these occur.
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.