Combivir ratings & reviews

Combivir is a tablet that contains the active ingredients lamivudine and zidovudine, which are synthetic nucleoside analogues with activity against HIV-1. It is formulated as film-coated tablets for oral administration, with each tablet containing 150 mg of lamivudine and 300 mg of zidovudine. Key inactive ingredients include microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, and magnesium stearate. This combination is intended to limit the spread of HIV in the body.

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with water. Ask your care team or pharmacist if this medication should be taken with or without food. Sometimes you must take this medication on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after food. For your therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed on the prescription label. Do not skip doses. Skipping doses can make the HIV virus resistant to this and other medications. Keep taking this therapy unless your care team tells you to stop.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer wanted or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, empty the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substances. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• High lactic acid level—muscle pain or cramps, stomach pain, trouble breathing, general discomfort and fatigue
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Low red blood cell level—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing
• Muscle injury—unusual weakness or fatigue, muscle pain, dark yellow or brown urine, decrease in amount of urine
• Pancreatitis—severe stomach pain that spreads to your back or gets worse after eating or when touched, fever, nausea, vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Nausea
• Trouble sleeping
• Worsening mood, feelings of depression

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Blood or bone marrow problems
• Frequently drink alcohol
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• An unusual or allergic reaction to lamivudine, zidovudine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• Breast-feeding

What may interact with this medication?

• Atovaquone
• Doxorubicin
• Fluconazole
• Ganciclovir
• Interferon
• Methadone
• Nelfinavir
• Probenecid
• Ribavirin
• Ritonavir
• Sorbitol-containing medications
• Stavudine
• Sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim, SMX-TMP
• Trimethoprim
• Valproic acid

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Discuss any new symptoms with your care team. You will need to have important blood work done while taking this medication.

HIV is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your care team about how to stop the spread of HIV.

If you have hepatitis B and HIV, talk to your care team if you plan to stop this medication. The symptoms of hepatitis B may get worse if you stop this medication.

Do not treat severe stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting with over-the-counter medications. Contact your care team.

You should make sure you get enough vitamin B12 while you are taking this medication. Discuss the foods you eat and the vitamins you take with your care team.

What are the most serious risks of this medication?

This medicine can lower blood cell counts including white blood cells (called neutropenia) and red blood cells (called anemia). Your health care provider will check you blood counts while you take this medicine.

This medicine can cause severe muscle weakness. Call your health care provider right away if you have severe muscle weakness.

This medicine can cause a serious life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. It can also cause serious liver damage.

Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your care team. If you have both HIV and hepatitis B, the symptoms of hepatitis B may worsen when you stop taking this medication. Your care team will check your liver and general health after treatment is stopped. You may need to take other medications if your hepatitis flares or returns.