Lamivudine-ZidovudineOral - Drug Information and Side Effects on Drug3k.com


No Rating Yet
No Reviews \| Post your opinion

Lamivudine-Zidovudine images:

Overview

Photos

How To Use

Side Effects

Precautions

Missed Dose

Drug Interactions

Lamivudine-Zidovudine

Uses
This drug is a combination of lamivudine and zidovudine. It may be used alone or with other medications to help control your HIV infection, thereby improving your quality of life. It also lowers your risk of getting HIV disease complications (e.g., new infections, cancer). Both zidovudine and lamivudine belong to a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.Lamivudine/zidovudine is not a cure for HIV infection and it does not prevent the spread of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination (e.g., sharing dirty needles).This medication may also be used to prevent HIV infection after contact with the virus.
Notes

To reduce the risk of spreading HIV to others, always use effective barrier protections (e.g., latex or polyurethane condoms, dental dams) during all sexual activity.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.Do not share this medication with others.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood counts, liver tests, viral load, T-cell counts) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Consult your doctor for more details.Keep all medical and laboratory appointments.

Storage

Store between 36-86 degrees F (2-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may include: tiredness, headache, nausea, vomiting.

How To Use

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 2 times daily or as directed by your doctor.The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
Because this combination product has fixed doses of lamivudine and zidovudine, it should only be used if your doctor has determined that the doses of both medications in this product are right for you.It is very important to continue taking this medication (and other anti-HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor.This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level.
Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals.
To help you remember, use it at the same times each day.Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor.
Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.

Side Effects

See also Warning section.Headache, tiredness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, dizziness, stuffy nose, cough, or constipation may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (depression, anxiety, slowed thinking), tingling/numbness of hands or feet, changes in taste, vision changes, shakiness, skin/fingernail color changes.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: stomach/back pain with or without nausea/vomiting, fainting, hearing loss.Changes in body fat may occur while you are taking this medication (e.g., increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas, decreased fat in the arms and legs).
The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown.
Discuss the risks and benefits of therapy with your doctor, as well as the possible role of exercise to reduce this side effect.If you are taking HIV medications for the first time, you may experience a return of symptoms from an old infection.
This may happen as your immune system begins to work better and is called the immune reconstitution syndrome.
Symptoms might include: new cough, trouble breathing, fever, new vision problems, new headaches, new skin problems.Contact your doctor immediately if you have any of these effects.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before taking lamivudine/zidovudine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: pancreatitis from other HIV medicines, kidney problems, liver problems (e.g., hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis), alcohol use, decreased muscle size (wasting), low red/white blood cells.This drug may make you dizzy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
Limit alcoholic beverages.Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the increased risk of pancreatitis.Kidney function declines as you grow older.
This medication is removed by the kidneys.
Therefore, caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug.This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
However, HIV medications are now usually given to pregnant women with HIV.
This has been shown to decrease the risk of HIV transmission to the 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.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is within 2 hours of your next dose.
In that case, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double the dose to catch up.

Drug Interactions

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it.
Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: stavudine, ribavirin.If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting lamivudine/zidovudine.Emtricitabine is similar to lamivudine and should not be taken with this medication.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: zalcitabine, phenytoin, interferon, drugs that may suppress bone marrow function (e.g., ganciclovir, trimethoprim, pyrimethamine, doxorubicin, dapsone, flucytosine, pentamidine), cidofovir with probenecid, amphotericin B.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.