| What is Combivir? |
Combivir is an anti-HIV medication. It is in a category of HIV medicines called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Combivir prevents HIV from altering the genetic material of healthy T-cells. This prevents the cells from producing new virus and decreases the amount of virus in the body. Combivir is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use by people living with HIV in 1997.
Combivir is a combination of two drugs: 300mg of Retrovir® (AZT) and 150mg of Epivir® (3TC). Combivir should be prescribed by a healthcare provider for patients who need both of these drugs. Both of these drugs can still be purchased individually for use in combination with other anti-HIV drugs. Combivir must be combined with at least one other anti-HIV drug, usually a protease inhibitor (PI) or a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI).
Combivir is used to fight the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. It is a combination product containing the two AIDS drugs, lamivudine (Epivir) and zidovudine (Retrovir). It is intended for use with additional AIDS drugs.
HIV does its damage by slowly destroying the immune system, eventually leaving the body defenseless against infections. The drugs in Combivir interfere with the virus's ability to reproduce, thus staving off the decline of the immune system and preserving better health. |
| How should you take this medicine? |
It's important to keep adequate levels of Combivir in your bloodstream at all times, so you need to take it regularly, exactly as prescribed, even when you're feeling better. Doses can be taken with or without food.
If you miss a dose
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. |
| What is the recommended dosage? |
ADULTS
For adults and adolescents 12 and over, the recommended dose is one tablet (containing 150 milligrams of Epivir and 300 milligrams of Retrovir) twice a day.
CHILDREN
Combivir should not be taken by children under 12 years of age. |
| What are the precautions while using Combivir? |
Lamivudine and zidovudine combination may cause blood problems, so your doctor might test your blood regularly.
Do not take any other medicines without checking with your doctor first. If you do so then there might increase the chance of side effects from lamivudine and zidovudine combination.
If you have both HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, deterioration of liver disease has occurred when lamivudine and zidovudine treatment is stopped. Discuss any changes in your treatment and medicines with your doctor.
HIV may be acquired from or spread to other people through infected body fluids, including blood, vaginal fluid, or semen. If you are infected, it is best to avoid any sexual activity involving an exchange of body fluids with other people. If you do have sex, always wear (or have your partner wear) a condom (“rubber”). Only use condoms made of latex, and use them every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The use of a spermicide (such as nonoxynol-9) may also help prevent transmission of HIV if it is not irritating to the vagina, rectum, or mouth. Spermicides have been shown to kill HIV in lab tests. Do not use oil-based jelly, cold cream, baby oil, or shortening as a lubricant these products can cause the condom to break. Women may wish to carry their own condoms. Birth control pills and diaphragms will help protect against pregnancy, but they will not prevent someone from giving or getting the AIDS virus. If you inject drugs, get help to stop. Do not share needles or equipment with anyone. In some cities, more than half of the drug users are infected, and sharing even 1 needle or syringe can spread the virus |
| What are the side effects? |
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur: |
| Side effects which are most common: |
| Chills; fever; pale skin; sore throat; unusual tiredness or weakness |
| Side effects which are less common: |
| Abdominal pain (severe); burning, tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs; muscle tenderness and weakness; nausea; skin rash; vomiting; yellow eyes or skin |
| Side effects which are unknown: |
Blistering, peeling, loosening of skin; canker sores; chest discomfort or pain; chills; convulsions; dark urine; decreased appetite; difficulty breathing; difficulty swallowing; dizziness; faintness; fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat; fast shallow breathing; feeling of fullness; general feeling of discomfort; general tiredness and weakness; hives or welts; itching; itching, puffiness or selling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue; jerking of all extremities; joint or muscle pain; light-colored stools; loss of bladder control; muscle pain, spasms, stiffness, or cramping ; red, irritated eyes; red skin lesions often with a purple center; redness, soreness, or itching skin; sensation of pins and needles; shortness of breath; sleepiness; sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips or tongue; sores, welting or blisters ; stabbing pain; sudden loss of consciousness; swelling of feet or lower legs; tingling, burning, numbness, or pain the hands, arms, feet, or legs; tightness in chest; troubled breathing; wheezing
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue: |
| Side effects which are most common: |
| Headache |
| Side effects which are less common: |
| Abdominal pain (mild); coughing; decreased appetite; diarrhea; dizziness; trouble in sleeping |
| Side effects which are unknown: |
| Abnormal breathing; blurred vision; body fat redistribution/accumulation; darkening of skin and mucous membranes; dry mouth ; fatigue; flushed, dry skin; fruit-like breath odor; hair loss; increased hunger; increased thirst; increased urination; sweating; swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males; swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in neck, armpit, or groin; thinning of hair; troubled breathing, unexplained |
| What should you do after taking combivir? |
Storage
Keep the medicine where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Keep COMBIVIR tablets in a cool, dry place where it stays below 30°C. Do not store the tablets, or any other medicine, in a bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave them in the car or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep your COMBIVIR tablets in their pack until it is time to take them. If you take COMBIVIR tablets out of their pack they may not keep well. |
| Disposal |
| If your doctor tells you to stop taking COMBIVIR tablets, or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets left over. |
| Is Combivir safe for pregnant woman? |
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Combivir is classified by the FDA as a pregnancy category C drug. Pregnancy category C means that animal studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks. HIV-positive women who become pregnant should discuss the benefits and possible side effects of anti-HIV treatment to help protect their babies from HIV. |
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It is not known whether Combivir passes into breast milk and what effect they may have on a nursing baby. To prevent transmission of the virus to uninfected babies, it is recommended that HIV-positive mothers not breast-feed. |
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