Combivir

Zidovudine (Retrovir) and lamivudine (Epivir) are two medications that are combined to create Combivir. HIV infection in adults and children who are at least three months old is treated with combivir. Sometimes Combivir is taken along with other HIV drugs.

Health Benefits of Combivir

Combivir can assist with:

-Reduce the level of HIV in your body.

-Increase your body's production of white blood cells.

-Improve HIV infection symptoms

-Decrease your risk of HIV transmission to others

Side Effects of Combivir

Among the negative effects of combivir are:

-Nausea

-Vomiting

-Diarrhea

-Headache

-Fatigue

If you encounter any of these side effects, contact your doctor right away.

Dosages of Combivir

Adults are advised to take two pills of Combivir (150 mg/300 mg) twice daily.

One tablet (75mg/150mg) taken twice daily is the recommended dose for kids who weigh at least 33 pounds (15 kg).

Please consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about dosage.

Interactions

You may be taking vitamins, herbs, or other medications that may interact with combivir.interactions with the following are conceivable:

-Some antacids

-Pills to prevent pregnancy or other hormonal contraceptives

-Dilantin (Phenytoin)

- Rifatin (Rifampin)

Before beginning Combivir, be sure to discuss all the medications, herbs, and vitamins you are taking with your doctor.

Mechanism of Action

In order to prevent HIV from replicating itself, reverse transcriptase, an enzyme, is blocked by combivir. In doing so, Combivir helps to strengthen the immune system while reducing the body's level of HIV.

If you have any concerns about Combivir's mechanism of action before taking it, please consult your doctor.

Pharmacokinetics

A fixed-dose combination drug called Combivir contains 300 mg of lamivudine and 150 mg of zidovudine.

Following oral administration, lamivudine and zidovudine are both quickly absorbed. Within one to three hours, zidovudine and lamivudine reach their maximum plasma concentrations.

Combivir's pharmacokinetic profile resembles that of its component parts individually.

If you have any inquiries about the pharmacokinetics of Combivir, please consult your physician or pharmacist.

Alternatives to Combivir

To treat HIV, a variety of other medications are available. Combivir's common substitutes include:

-Atripla

-Complera

-Stribild

-Truvada

-Viread

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are human subjects-based research projects. They are utilized to test novel medications and medical procedures.

Over 3,000 HIV-positive adults and kids participated in clinical trials where Combivir was tested. In these studies, Combivir was discovered to be successful at lowering the body's level of HIV and enhancing the immune system.

If you have any concerns about clinical trials or whether Combivir is the right medication for you, please consult your doctor.

Symptoms of an Overdose

Call your doctor or head straight to the emergency room if you think you may have taken too much Combivir.

Serious negative effects of a Combivir overdose include:

-Seizures

-Lactic acidosis (excessive blood acidity)

-Liver issues

If you notice any of these signs, please get medical attention right away.

How Combivir is Supplied

Combivir comes in 150 mg/300 mg tablet form. Zidovudine 150 mg and Lamivudine 300 mg are both found in each tablet.

Storage information

The best place to store combivir is at room temperature, away from heat and light.

Never freeze Combivir pills.

If the Combivir tablets have been frozen, do not take them.

Chemistry

Zidovudine is a white, crystalline powder that has a molecular weight of 225.2 and the chemical formula C8H11N5O4. The chemical name for lamivudine is C8H11N3O3S, and it has a molecular weight of 247.3. It is a white, crystalline powder.

Combivir tablets come in 150 mg/300 mg dosages. Zidovudine 150 mg and Lamivudine 300 mg are both found in each tablet. Combivir's inactive components include:

• Cellulose microcrystalline
• Sodium croscarmellose
• The magnesium stearate
• Hypromellose
• Titan dioxide