GENERIC NAME: LAMIVUDINE/ZIDOVUDINE - ORAL (lam-EYE-view-deen/zye-DOE-view-deen)

BRAND NAME(S): Combivir

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert

WARNING: Rarely, this medication has caused severe (sometimes fatal) liver and blood disorders (e.g., lactic acidosis, neutropenia, anemia), especially in people with advanced HIV infection. Notify your doctor immediately if you have dark urine, unusual fatigue, yellowing of the skin or eyes, rapid breathing, drowsiness, muscle aches, stomach/abdominal pain, or signs of an infection, such as a persistent fever or sore throat.

USES: This medication is used to treat HIV infection. It will be prescribed in combination with other HIV medications. One group of HIV medications (the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors-NRTIs such as zidovudine and lamivudine) are very useful. However, NRTIs are recommended to be used in combination with other groups of HIV medications in order to be effective. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

HOW TO USE: This product is taken by mouth. The dosage is one tablet twice daily, with or without food. Take exactly as directed and continue to take your other HIV drugs. Do not stop using your medication unless directed to do so.

SIDE EFFECTS: Headache, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, sleep problems may occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Report promptly: muscle pain, stomach pain, tingling and numbness. Unlikely but report promptly: persistent sore throat, fever, yellowing eyes or skin, fatigue, rapid breathing, confusion, hair loss, unusual increase in amount of urine, seizures, dark urine. Very unlikely but report promptly: unusual bleeding or bruising. 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. Seek immediate medical attention if an allergic reaction occurs. Symptoms include: skin rash, difficulty breathing, hives, itching. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

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