LAMIVUDINEAND ZIDOVUDINE (Systemic)?
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
? Not commercially available in Canada.
Category
Description
Lamivudine (la-MI-vyoo-deen) and zidovudine (zye-DOE-vyoo-deen) combination is used in the treatment of human immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV) infection. HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiencysyndrome (AIDS).
Lamivudine and zidovudine combination will not cure or prevent HIV infectionor the symptoms of AIDS; however, it helps keep HIV from reproducing, andappears to slow down the destruction of the immune system. This may help delaythe development of serious health problems usually related to AIDS or HIVinfection. Lamivudine and zidovudine combination will not keep you from spreadingHIV to other people. People who receive this medicine may continue to haveother problems usually related to AIDS or HIV infection.
The zidovudine component of this combination medicine may cause some seriousside effects, including bone marrow problems. Symptoms of bone marrow problemsinclude fever, chills, sore throat, pale skin, and unusual tiredness or weakness.These problems may require blood transfusion or temporarily stopping treatmentwith lamivudine and zidovudine combination. Check with your doctor if anynew health problems or symptoms occur while you are taking lamivudine andzidovudine combination.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage form:
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For lamivudine and zidovudinecombination, the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to lamivudine or zidovudine. Also tell your health careprofessional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.
Pregnancy?Lamivudine and zidovudine combination has not beenstudied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that zidovudinecauses birth defects when given in very high doses. Before taking this lamivudineand zidovudine combination, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnantor if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?Zidovudine passes into breast milk. It is not knownwhether lamivudine passes into breast milk. However, if your baby does notalready have the AIDS virus, there is a chance that you could pass it to yourbaby by breast-feeding. Talk to your doctor first if you are thinking aboutbreast-feeding your baby.
Children?Either lamivudine or zidovudine used alone may causeserious side effects, and children should receive less of these medicinesthan adults. However, lamivudine and zidovudine combination contains a fixedamount of each medicine that cannot be decreased. Therefore, lamivudine andzidovudine combination is not recommended for children less than 12 yearsof age, or children who weigh less than 50 kilograms (110 pounds) becausethe amounts of lamivudine and zidovudine in this product cannot be adjustedfor smaller body sizes.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studiedspecifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether theywork exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause differentside effects or problems in older people. Many older people have problemswith their liver, heart and kidneys. Your doctor may change the amount ofmedicine you take because of other health problems.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are takinglamivudine and zidovudine combination, it is especially important that yourhealth care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
- Abacavir/lamivudine/zidovudine combination (e.g., Trizivir) or
- Lamivudine (e.g., Epivir) or
- Zidovudine (e.g., Retrovir)?Using products containing additionallamivudine or zidovudine with the combination product may increase the chanceof side effects of lamivudine or zidovudine
- Amphotericin B by injection (e.g., Fungizone) or
- Antineoplastics (cancer medicine) or
- Azathioprine (e.g., Imuran) or
- Chloramphenicol (e.g., Chloromycetin) or
- Clozapine (e.g., Clozaril) or
- Colchicine or
- Didanosine (e.g., Videx) or
- Eflornithine (e.g., Ornidyl) or
- Flucytosine (e.g., Ancobon) or
- Ganciclovir (e.g., Cytovene) or
- Interferon (e.g., Intron A, Roferon-A)
- Uracil mustard?Taking lamivudine and zidovudine combinationwhile you are using or receiving these medicines may make anemia or otherblood problems worse
- Doxorubicin (e.g., Adriamycin) or
- Ribavirin (e.g., Copegus, Rebetol) or
- Stavudine (e.g., Zerit)?Should not be used with lamivudineand zidovudine combination; may prevent medicine from working properly
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of lamivudine and zidovudine combination. Makesure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Blood problems, including decreased bone marrow production?Lamivudineand zidovudine combination may make these conditions worse
- Infection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus(HBV) at the same time?This medicine could make your hepatitis worseor prevent the medicine from working properly.
- Kidney disease?Patients with kidney disease may experiencean increase in side effects
- Liver disease or
- Risk factors for liver disease or
- Obesity (being overweight) or
- Use of other HIV medicines over a long period of time?Thismedicine may make liver disease worse in patients with liver disease, obesityor other HIV medicine use.
Proper Use of This Medicine
Lamivudineand zidovudine combination may be taken with food or on an empty stomach.
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not takeit for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Also, do not stop taking lamivudineand zidovudine combination without checking with your doctor first.
Keep taking lamivudine and zidovudine combination forthe full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better.
This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. If you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine,check with your health care professional.
Only take medicine that your doctor has prescribed specifically for you.Do not share your medicine with others.
Dosing?Lamivudine and zidovudine combination containsa fixed amount of each medicine.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection:
- Adults and teenagers who weigh more than 50 kilograms (kg) (110 pounds)?150milligrams (mg) of lamivudine and 300 mg of zidovudine (equivalent to onetablet) two times a day.
- Adults and teenagers who weigh 50 kg (110 pounds) or less?Useis not recommended.
- Children?Use is not recommended.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it assoon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in otherdamp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It is very important that your doctor check your progress atregular visits. Lamivudine and zidovudine combination may cause bloodproblems, and your doctor will want to test your blood regularly.
Do not take any other medicines without checking withyour doctor first. To do so may increase the chance of side effectsfrom lamivudine and zidovudine combination.
If you have both HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, deteriorationof liver disease has occurred when lamivudine and zidovudine treatment isstopped. Discuss any changes in your treatment and medicines with your doctor.
HIV may be acquired from or spread to other people through infected bodyfluids, including blood, vaginal fluid, or semen. If youare infected, it is best to avoid any sexual activity involving an exchangeof body fluids with other people. If you do have sex, always wear (or haveyour partner wear) a condom (?rubber?). Only use condomsmade of latex, and use them every time you have vaginal,anal, or oral sex. The use of a spermicide (such as nonoxynol-9) mayalso help prevent transmission of HIV if it is not irritating to the vagina,rectum, or mouth. Spermicides have been shown to kill HIV in lab tests. Donot use oil-based jelly, cold cream, baby oil, or shortening as a lubricant?theseproducts can cause the condom to break. Lubricants without oil, such as K-Y Jelly, are recommended. Women may wish to carry theirown condoms. Birth control pills and diaphragms will help protect againstpregnancy, but they will not prevent someone from giving or getting the AIDSvirus. If you inject drugs, get help to stop. Do not share needles or equipment with anyone. In somecities, more than half of the drug users are infected, and sharing even 1needle or syringe can spread the virus. If you have any questions about this,check with your health care professional.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine maycause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur,if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Incidence unknown
Blistering, peeling, loosening of skin; canker sores; chest discomfort or pain; chills; convulsions; dark urine; decreased appetite; difficulty breathing; difficulty swallowing; dizziness; faintness; fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat; fast shallowbreathing; feeling of fullness; general feeling of discomfort; general tirednessand weakness; hives or welts; itching; itching, puffiness or selling of the eyelidsor around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue; jerkingof all extremities; joint or muscle pain; light-colored stools; loss of bladdercontrol; muscle pain, spasms, stiffness, or cramping; red, irritated eyes; red skin lesions often with a purple center; redness,soreness, or itching skin; sensation of pins andneedles; shortness of breath; sleepiness; sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouthor on lips or tongue; sores, welting or blisters; stabbing pain; suddenloss of consciousness; swelling of feet or lowerlegs; tingling, burning, numbness, or pain the hands,arms, feet, or legs; tightness in chest; troubled breathing
wheezing
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to themedicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effectscontinue or are bothersome:
Incidence unknown
Abnormal breathing; blurred vision; body fat redistribution/accumulation; darkening of skin and mucous membranes; dry mouth; fatigue; flushed, dryskin; fruit-like breath odor; hair loss; increased hunger; increased thirst; increased urination; sweating; swelling of the breasts orbreast soreness in both females and males; swollen,painful, or tender lymph glands in neck, armpit, or groin; thinning of hair; troubled breathing, unexplained
Other side effects notlisted above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects,check with your doctor.
Developed: 02/23/1998
Revised: 10/27/2004
