Combivir 300 mg/150mg

What is Combivir:
Combivir is an antiviral medication containing a combination of lamivudine and zidovudine. These medicines are in a group of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medicines called reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Combivir helps keep the HIV virus from reproducing in the body. Combivir is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Warnings and Precautions:
Combivir should not be taken together with any other medications that contain either lamivudine and zidovudine. This includes Epivir, Retrovir, Epzicom (abacavir and lamivudine), and Trizivir (abacavir, lamivudine, zidovudine). Before taking Combivir, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, a pancreas disorder, bone marrow suppression, or problems with your muscles.
Combivir can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking Combivir, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using Combivir. Visit your doctor regularly.
Some people develop lactic acidosis while taking Combivir. Early symptoms may get worse over time and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, slow or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.

To make sure you can safely take Combivir, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease
• liver disease (including hepatitis)
• pancreatitis
• bone marrow suppression
• problems with your muscles

Some people develop a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking Combivir. You may be more likely to develop lactic acidosis if you are overweight or have liver disease, if you are a woman, or if you have taken HIV or AIDS medications for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.