Basic Information on Combivir
Combivir is indicated for treatment of HIV-1 infection along with certain other antiretroviral medicines. Combivir is a brand name and is actually composed of two nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors: lamivudine and zidovudine. Each Combivir tablet contains 150 mg of the former and 300 mg of the latter drug. Both these drugs block the enzyme responsible for reverse transcription. Combivir prevents HIV to alter the healthy genetic material of CD4 cells, which in turn prevents the formation of new virus, and thus, results in decreased amount of virus in the body and increased CD4 levels in the body. Combination of drugs help to reduce pill burden and it exhibits a stronger and more sustained effect. It is generally not prescribed for children weighing less than 30 kg or for patients requiring dose adjustment.
Precautions/Side Effects for Combivir
If you have any allergic reactions to lamivudine/ zidovudine, please inform your doctor.
Combivir is contraindicated in patients having a history of significant hypersensitivity, such as anaphylaxis. Before taking the brand or generic Combivir, please inform your doctor if you have had any cases of kidney or liver diseases, pancreatic disorder or bone marrow suppression.
The most common side effects observed are headache, fatigue and stomach upset. Zidovudine is shown to have association with hematological toxicity (neutropenia and anemia), especially in patients who are at the advanced stage of HIV-1 disease. Extended use of zidovudine has also reported to cause symptomatic myopathy. Patients with hepatitis B have reported liver symptoms long after termination of the treatment with brand or generic Combivir. Hence, regular liver tests are recommended while on treatment. Fatal conditions like lactic acidosis have been reported a few times after taking lamivudine/ zidovudine. Please get medical help as soon as you observe any signs of lactic acidosis such as trouble in breathing, nausea, slow or irregular heart beat or general weakness. It is not known whether Combivir drug causes any harm to the unborn baby. It is recommended that you inform the doctor about any plans of pregnancy since HIV passes from mother to child.
Combivir Dosage
The daily oral dose recommended for adults and adolescents (≥30 kg) is one tablet taken twice daily. These patients should be able to ingest solid dosage forms. For cases wherein the patient is not able to swallow the fixed-dose tablet, syrup is recommended. Patients requiring dose adjustment for treatment are generally not prescribed this medication. In cases of patients with hepatic impairment or suffering from adverse reactions due to dose limitations, Combivir is not prescribed. The separate ingredients of Combivir may then be prescribed for such patients.
Buy Combivir from North Drug Store
North Drug Store provides fixed-dose tablets (150/300 mg) of brand or generic Combivir. You can rely on the confidentiality and fast shipping that North Drug Store provides when you buy Combivir.
