Lamivudine/Zidovudine, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor; antiretroviral (anti-HIV)

Generic and brand names: lamivudine and zidovudine, oral; Combivir; AZT+3TC

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat HIV infection.

It is a combination of 2 medicines in one tablet.

It is usually taken with other medicines.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• anemia or other blood disorders
• bone marrow suppression
• diabetes
• hepatitis B
• high cholesterol or triglycerides
• pancreatitis.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking this medicine. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine or change your dosage unless directed to do so by your healthcare provider.

Do not let your medicine run out. The amount of virus in your blood may increase if you stop the medicine, even for a short time.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose by more than 4 hours, wait and then take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. However, if you miss a dose by less than 4 hours, take your missed dose immediately. Then take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, loss of balance.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine is not a cure for HIV infection. You may continue to get other illnesses or infections. Treatment with this medicine may reduce the frequency of the illnesses. This medicine does not reduce the risk of infecting other people through sexual contact or blood contamination. There is no information about the effects of long-term treatments.

You will need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

Lactic acidosis is a rare but serious problem that can occur with use of this medicine. Stop taking this medicine and contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop unexplained symptoms such as:

• feel very ill, cold, dizzy, or lightheaded
• have muscle pain, nausea, trouble breathing, or increasing drowsiness
• suddenly have a slow or irregular heartbeat.

Treatment with this medicine may cause a change in the location of fat in your body. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, swelling of your lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Slow or irregular heartbeat; dark urine; diarrhea; fever; light-colored bowel movements; muscle or joint pain; severe nausea and tiredness; pale skin; seizures; severe muscle weakness; shortness of breath; severe stomach pain; seizures; severe dizziness; severe back or leg pain; swelling in ankles or feet; tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands or feet; unexplained cough or sore throat; unusual bruising or bleeding; sores that don't heal; persistent vomiting; yellow skin or eyes.

Other: Headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, dizziness, trouble sleeping, nervousness, changes in body fat, hair loss.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• antiseizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin) and valproic acid (Depacon, Depakene, Depakote)
• antifungal medicines such as flucytosine (Ancobon), amphotericin B (Abelcet), and fluconazole (Diflucan)
• antiviral medicines such as nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), delavirdine (Rescriptor), ribavirin (Rebetol, Rebetron, Virazole), stavudine (Zerit), tenofovir (Viread), ganciclovir (Cytovene), adefovir (Hepsera), didanosine (Videx), lamivudine (Epivir), zidovudine (Retrovir)
• any other medicine containing abacavir, lamivudine, emtricitabine or zidovudine
• indomethacin (Indocin)
• interferon alpha (Roferon-A, Intron-A, Rebetron) and interferon beta (Betaseron, Avonex)
• medicines used to treat cancer such as cisplatin (Platinol), hydroxyurea (Hydrea), doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex, Doxil), vinblastine, and vincristine (Vincasar)
• methadone (Dolophine, Methadose)
• probenecid
• pyrimethamine (Daraprim)

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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