Combivir (Lamivudine And Zidovudine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Combivir Used For?
Combivir is an antiretroviral medication that combines two active ingredients – lamivudine and zidovudine – to treat HIV infection.
Primary Uses
Combivir is used alone or in combination 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 other related illnesses like AIDS-related Complex (ARC).
How It Works
Combivir does not cure AIDS or HIV infection, but it slows down the production of HIV in your body. This helps prevent ongoing damage to your body's immune system, which fights infections. While taking this medicine, you can still pass on HIV through sexual activity or blood contact, although the risk is reduced with antiretroviral therapy.
Good to know: You may continue to develop other infections while taking Combivir, so it's important to stay in regular contact with your doctor.
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How to Take Combivir
Combivir should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor to ensure the best treatment outcome.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dosage is one tablet twice a day. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not halve the tablet. Take Combivir regularly at the same time each day and continue until your doctor tells you to stop.
What If You Miss a Dose?
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 then return to your normal schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, and do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor.
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
- confusion, depression, nervousness
- dizziness, vision problems, sensitivity to light
- constipation, gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain
- nausea, vomiting, heartburn
- acne, itchiness, skin rash
- weight loss, loss of appetite
- cough, sore throat, hay fever
- muscle aches, muscle spasms
- flu-like symptoms, fever, sweating, chills
- weakness, sleeplessness, fatigue
- body odour, hair loss
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- reduced red blood cell count (anaemia)
- 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 several important conditions and situations where Combivir should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Combivir
Do not use Combivir if you are allergic to lamivudine, zidovudine, or any ingredients in the medicine; have kidney or liver disease; have reduced red blood cell count (anaemia) or white blood cell count (neutropenia); are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, have or have had hepatitis B (as it may flare up when stopping treatment), take any other medicines, or are allergic to any foods, dyes, preservatives, or other medicines. People with advanced HIV infection may develop inflammatory reactions when starting treatment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or intend to breastfeed. Your doctor can discuss the benefits and risks of taking Combivir during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Children: Combivir is not recommended for children under 12 years of age as it cannot be adjusted according to the patient's size and weight.
Drug Interactions
Several medicines may 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. Taking ribavirin with Combivir may cause or worsen anaemia.
- paracetamol
- pain medicines (aspirin, codeine, morphine, methadone, indometacin, ketoprofen, naproxen)
- ribavirin
- epilepsy medicines (phenytoin)
- anxiety and insomnia medicines (oxazepam, lorazepam)
- rifampicin (tuberculosis treatment)
- cimetidine (heartburn treatment)
- clofibrate (cholesterol treatment)
- probenecid (gout treatment)
- antimicrobial medicines (pentamidine, atovaquone)
- parasite infection treatments (pyrimethamine, dapsone)
- antifungal medicines (amphotericin, flucytosine)
- other antiviral medicines (aciclovir, ganciclovir, interferon, stavudine, zalcitabine)
- antibacterial medicines (clarithromycin, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin)
- cancer treatments (vincristine, vinblastine, doxorubicin)
- sorbitol-containing medicines
Alcohol & Driving
Combivir may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned in the prescribing information, but consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking Combivir.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Combivir affects you. Combivir may cause headache and tiredness in some people.
Storage
Store Combivir below 30°C in the original pack. Keep the medicine in the pack until it's time to take it. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Combivir, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Combivir works by slowing down HIV production in your body rather than providing immediate symptom relief. You'll need regular blood tests to monitor its effectiveness, and you should continue taking it every day to prevent your condition from worsening.
The prescribing information doesn't specify whether Combivir needs to be taken with or without food. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for specific guidance on timing with meals.
Do not stop taking Combivir suddenly or change the 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.
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. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
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.
Your doctor will arrange regular blood tests to check for side effects, particularly to monitor your red and white blood cell levels. If you develop anaemia or neutropenia, your doctor may reduce your dose or stop Combivir.
No, Combivir does not cure HIV infection or AIDS. It helps control your condition by slowing down HIV production in your body, but you may still develop other infections and illnesses linked to HIV.
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.