What is Combivir?
Combivir is a combination of two drugs, zidovudine (Retrovir) and lamivudine (Epivir). Combivir is used to treat HIV infection in adults and children who are at least three months old. Combivir is sometimes used with other HIV medications.
Health Benefits of Combivir
Combivir can help to:
-Decrease the amount of HIV in your body
-Increase the number of white blood cells in your body
-Improve the symptoms of HIV infection
-Reduce your risk of infecting other people with HIV
Side Effects of Combivir
Combivir can cause side effects, including:
-Nausea
-Vomiting
-Diarrhea
-Headache
-Fatigue
You should call your doctor if you experience any of these side effects.
Dosages of Combivir
The recommended dose of Combivir for adults is two pills (150mg/300mg) taken twice daily.
For children weighing at least 33 pounds (15 kg), the recommended dose is one tablet (75mg/150mg) taken twice daily.
If you have any questions about dosing, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Interactions
Combivir can interact with other medications, herbs, or vitamins you might be taking.interactions are possible with the following:
-Certain antacids
-Birth control pills or other hormonal methods of contraception
-Phenytoin (Dilantin)
-Rifampin (Rifadin)
Be sure to talk to your doctor about all the medications, herbs, and vitamins you are taking before starting Combivir.
Mechanism of Action
Combivir works by blocking the action of reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that HIV uses to copy itself. By doing this, Combivir decreases the amount of HIV in the body and helps to boost the immune system.
Please talk to your doctor before starting Combivir if you have any questions about how it works.
Pharmacokinetics
Combivir is a fixed-dose combination tablet containing 150 mg of zidovudine and 300 mg of lamivudine.
Both zidovudine and lamivudine are rapidly absorbed following oral administration. Maximum plasma concentrations of zidovudine and lamivudine are achieved within 1-3 hours.
The pharmacokinetic profile of Combivir is similar to that of the individual components.
Please talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the pharmacokinetics of Combivir.
Alternatives to Combivir
There are many other drugs available to treat HIV. Some common alternatives to Combivir include:
-Atripla
-Complera
-Stribild
-Truvada
-Viread
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies involving people. They are used to test new drugs and medical treatments.
Combivir was studied in clinical trials involving over 3,000 adults and children with HIV. In these studies, Combivir was found to be effective at reducing the amount of HIV in the body and boosting the immune system.
Please talk to your doctor if you have any questions about clinical trials or whether Combivir is right for you.
Symptoms of an Overdose
If you think you may have overdosed on Combivir, please call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
An overdose of Combivir can cause serious side effects, including:
-Seizures
-Lactic acidosis (too much acid in the blood)
-Liver problems
If you experience any of these symptoms, please seek medical help immediately.
How Combivir is Supplied
Combivir is supplied as a 150 mg/300 mg tablet. Each tablet contains 150 mg of zidovudine and 300 mg of lamivudine.
Storage information
Combivir should be stored at room temperature , away from heat and light.
Do not freeze Combivir tablets.
Do not take Combivir tablets if they have been frozen.
Chemistry
Zidovudine is a white, crystalline powder with a molecular formula of C8H11N5O4 and a molecular weight of 225.2. Lamivudine is a white, crystalline powder with a molecular formula of C8H11N3O3S and a molecular weight of 247.3.
Combivir tablets are available as 150 mg/300 mg tablets. Each tablet contains 150 mg of zidovudine and 300 mg of lamivudine. Inactive ingredients in Combivir include:
-Microcrystalline cellulose
-Croscarmellose sodium
-Magnesium stearate
-Hypromellose
-Titanium dioxide
