LAMIVUDINE-ZIDOVUDINE

• Minor side effects (if these symptoms persist or worsen, inform your doctor)
  • Headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, dizziness, or stuffy nose.

• Serious side effects (inform your doctor immediately)
  • Unexplained weight loss, persistent muscle aches/weakness, joint pain, numbness/tingling of the hands/feet/arms/legs, severe tiredness, vision changes, severe/persistent headaches, signs of infection (such as fever, chills, trouble breathing, cough, non-healing skin sores), signs of an overactive thyroid (such as irritability, nervousness, heat intolerance, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, bulging eyes, unusual growth in the neck/thyroid known as a goiter), signs of a certain nerve problem known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (such as difficulty breathing/swallowing/moving your eyes, drooping face, paralysis, slurred speech), mental/mood changes (such as depression), signs of pancreatitis (such as nausea, vomiting, stomach/abdominal/back pain, fever), easy bruising/bleeding, skin/nail color changes.

• Severe allergic reactions are rare. Get immediate medical help if you notice the following:
  • Rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

Precautions

• Inform your doctor.
  • Allergy to the medication or any allergies.
  • Medical History 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.

• May cause dizziness or drowsiness.

• Limit alcohol intake.
• Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially pancreatitis.

• Should only be used when there is a clear need during pregnancy as it may harm an unborn baby. If you are planning to be pregnant or think you may be pregnant, discuss the risks and benefits of use with your doctor.
• As breast milk can transmit HIV, breastfeeding should be avoided.

Interactions

Taking multiple drugs may affect how medications work and/or cause unwanted side effects. List down all the medications you are taking and inform your physician and pharmacist. Do not take, discontinue, or alter any dose of medications without prior approval of your physician.

• Products that may interact with this medication include:
  • Probenecid, ribavirin, stavudine, drugs that may decrease bone marrow function or lower blood cell counts (such as ganciclovir, trimethoprim, cancer chemotherapy including doxorubicin), drugs that may affect the kidneys (including NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen) rifampin, valproic acid, Emtricitabine.
  • If you are also taking clarithromycin, take this medication at least 2 hours apart from your clarithromycin dose.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Missed Dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and as soon as you remember, take a regular dose or if the time of the next dose is near, wait for it before taking another dose and resume your usual schedule. Do not increase the dose to compensate for the missed dose.

Storage

• Room temperature between 2-30 degrees C
• Do not expose to light and moisture
• Do not store in the bathroom
• Keep all medications away from pets and children

Brands

Available Brands:

• Combivir