What is lamivudine and zidovudine?
Lamivudine and zidovudine are antiviral medications. They are in a group of human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medicines called reverse transcriptase inhibitors. This medication helps
keep the HIV virus from reproducing in the body.
The combination of lamivudine and zidovudine is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medication is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Lamivudine and zidovudine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lamivudine and zidovudine?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to lamivudine or zidovudine. The combination
of lamivudine and zidovudine (Combivir) should not be taken together with any other medications that
contain either of the two drugs. This includes Epivir, Retrovir, Epzicom (abacavir and lamivudine), and
Trizivir (abacavir, lamivudine, zidovudine).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take
this medication. Before taking lamivudine and zidovudine, tell your doctor if you have:
-
kidney disease;
-
liver disease (including hepatitis);
-
pancreatitis;
-
bone marrow suppression; or
-
problems with your muscles.
Some people have developed a life-threatening condition called lactic
acidosis while taking lamivudine and zidovudine. You may be more likely to develop lactic acidosis if
you are overweight or have liver disease, if you are a woman, or if you have taken certain HIV or
AIDS medications for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an
unborn baby. Before taking lamivudine and zidovudine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant during treatment. HIV can be passed to the baby if the mother is not properly
treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection while
you are pregnant.
Your name may need to be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry when you start using this
medication.
You should not breast-feed while you are using lamivudine and zidovudine. Women with
HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass
the virus to the baby in your breast milk.
Do not give this medication to a child who weighs less than 66 pounds.
How should I take lamivudine and zidovudine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Lamivudine and zidovudine can be taken with or without food.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition,
use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient
instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule
without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a
doctor.
Lamivudine and zidovudine can lower the blood cells in your body that help you fight infections.
This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill.
To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medication,
even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function at regular visits for
several months after you stop using lamivudine and zidovudine. Do not miss any scheduled visits.
Store lamivudine and zidovudine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of lamivudine and zidovudine?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about lamivudine and zidovudine?
Your pharmacist has information about lamivudine and zidovudine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of lamivudine and zidovudine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
This medication may cause lactic acidosis (a build-up of lactic acid in the body, which can
be fatal). Lactic acidosis can start slowly and get worse over time.
Get emergency medical
help if you have even mild symptoms of lactic acidosis,
such as:
-
muscle pain or weakness;
-
numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs;
-
trouble breathing;
-
feeling dizzy, light-headed, tired, or very weak;
-
stomach pain, nausea with vomiting; or
-
slow or uneven heart rate.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
-
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
-
trouble swallowing, trouble standing up or climbing stairs;
-
liver problems (stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine,
clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes));
-
pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading
to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate); or
-
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your
arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk);
-
mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
-
numbness or tingling;
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
headache, dizziness, tired feeling; or
-
cough, runny or stuffy nose.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about lamivudine and zidovudine?
The combination of lamivudine and zidovudine (Combivir) should not be taken together
with any other medications that contain either of these two drugs. This includes Epivir, Retrovir,
Epzicom (abacavir and lamivudine), and Trizivir (abacavir, lamivudine, zidovudine).
Before taking lamivudine and zidovudine, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver
disease, a pancreas disorder, bone marrow suppression, or problems with your muscles.
Lamivudine and zidovudine can lower the blood cells in your body that help you fight infections.
This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill.
To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It
is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking lamivudine and
zidovudine, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function on a
regular basis for several months after you stop using this medication. Do not miss any scheduled visits.
Some people have developed a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking
lamivudine and zidovudine. Early signs of lactic acidosis generally get worse over time and this
condition can be fatal.
Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms of
lactic acidosis, such as:
muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and
legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, slow or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or
feeling very weak or tired.
What should I avoid while taking lamivudine and zidovudine?
The combination of lamivudine and zidovudine (Combivir) should not be taken together
with any other medications that contain either of these two drugs. This includes Epivir, Retrovir,
Epzicom (abacavir and lamivudine), and Trizivir (abacavir, lamivudine, zidovudine).
Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your
doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection.
Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes. Taking this
medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe
methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe,
even for a healthy person.
What other drugs will affect lamivudine and zidovudine?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
-
cancer treatments;
-
stavudine (Zerit);
-
doxorubicin (Adriamycin);
-
zalcitabine (Hivid);
-
ganciclovir (Cytovene);
-
interferon-alfa (Roferon, Intron, Rebetron);
-
sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim, Proloprim,
Septra, Trimpex, SMX-TMP); or
-
ribavirin (Rebetol, Ribasphere, Copegus Virazole).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
lamivudine and zidovudine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of lamivudine and zidovudine?