Duovir – Lamivudine + Zidovudine

WHAT IS DUOVIR?

Lamivudine and Zidovudine are antiviral medications that prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body. Lamivudine belongs to a class of medication called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. It decreases the amount of virus (HIV and hepatitis) in the blood. It also increases the number of infection fighting cells in the body (CD4 cells). It does not cure HIV completely but reduces the chances of getting acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV related infections.

MEDICINE USES :

Cipla Lamivudine and Zidovudine is a combination medicine used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medicine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

LAMIVUDINE/ZIDOVUDINE COMMON SIDE EFFECTS :

headache; nausea, diarrhea; tiredness, general ill feeling;
cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sinus pain, cough; or changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

    low white blood cell counts–fever, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing;
    low red blood cells (anemia)–pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; or
    liver problems–nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

SAFETY INFORMATION (Precautions) for DUOVIR LAMIVUDINE/ZIDOVUDINE TABLETS:

    Before taking Lamivudine/Zidovudine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to either drug; or if you have any other allergies.
    Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney problems, liver problems (such as hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis), disease of the pancreas (pancreatitis), alcohol use, low red/white blood cell counts.
    Also, limit alcohol because it can increase the risk of liver problems and pancreatitis.
    Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially pancreatitis.
    Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
    During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. However, HIV medicines are now usually given to pregnant women with HIV. Treatment can decrease the risk of passing the HIV infection to your baby. Lamivudine/Zidovudine may be part of that treatment. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
    Lamivudine and Zidovudine pass into breast milk. Because breast milk can transmit HIV, do not breast-feed.

This is not a complete list. Ask your health care provider for more information.

MEDICATION STORAGE REQUIREMENTS :

Store below 30°C (below 86°F).

DRUG INTERACTIONS :

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

    doxorubicin;
    ganciclovir;
    interferon alfa (Alferon A, Infergen, Intron A, Rebetron);
    ribavirin;
    stavudine; or
    zalcitabine.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.