Duovir Tablets

Duovir Tablets (Lamivudine Zidovudine)

Duovir Tablets (Lamivudine 150mg Zidovudine 300mg), Lamivudine indicated as part of antiretroviral combination therapy for the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected adults and children and also used in the treatment of Hepatitis B virus infection. Zidovudine is used in combination with other antiretroviral (ART) medicines for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection.

Uses

Duovir Tablets (Lamivudine Zidovudine) is a combination of two active ingredients namely Duovir Tablets, both components are active against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and inhibit the activity of reverse transcriptase blocking the production of DNA and new viruses. Separately Duovir Tablets may not be so effective as their combination which makes it more difficult for HIV to produce high resistant strains.

How it works?

Lamivudine belongs to a class of medication called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. It decreases the amount of virus (HIV and hepatitis) in the blood. It also increases the number of infection fighting cells in the body (CD4 cells). It does not cure HIV completely but reduces the chances of getting acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV related infections or cancer.
Zidovudine belongs to a group of medications called nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), also known as antiretrovirals. Zidovudine does not cure HIV infection; it reduces the amount of viruses in the body by inhibiting the enzyme (viral reverse transcriptase) which is essential for the virus to grow. Further, zidovudine also increases some white blood cells (CD4 cells) of the body that are important in fighting infections.

What is Lamivudine & Zidovudine?

Duovir Tablets, also sold under the brands Combivir and Duovir among several other trade names is an antiviral medication consisting of two active ingredients duovir tablets. This medication belongs to a group of HIV medicines called reverse transcriptase inhibitors that prevent the HIV virus from reproducing in the body. Lamivudine Zidovudine is prescribed for the treatment of HIV that causes the disease called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS. However, this medication will not cure the body of HIV or AIDS. This medication may also be given for conditions not mentioned here.

Precautions

Duovir Tablets can affect the body?s acid balance. It also can be a reason to low blood cell counts (anemia). Inform your doctor if you have an existing shortage of blood cells or a disease of the bone marrow before to start treatment with duovir tablets. Aggravation of chronic liver disease hepatitis B is possible when treatment with Duovir tablets is finished as its virus causative agent becomes resistant to lamivudine. Duovir tablets sometimes causes muscle pain and inflammation, especially inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). If you have abdominal pain for several days, accompanied by nausea and vomiting yo should immediately check with your doctor. Drugs for HIV may cause a redistribution of body fat: (a ?buffalo hump? on the back, extra fat around the middle, and wasting in the arms, legs, and face).

How should I take Lamivudine & Zidovudine?

Take Lamivudine Zidovudine HIV/AIDS medication (Combivir, Duovir) strictly according to your doctor?s direction or according to the instructions on the medication label. Do not alter the dosage unless your doctor advises you to do so. Also, do not take this medication after the prescribed period is over. All medications come with a patient leaflet. Refer the instructions in them for detailed information on that particular medication. You may take duovir tablets with or without food. HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Always take the prescribed drugs as directed by your doctor. Store this medication in a cool and dry place. Always store lamivudine zidovudine in a cool and dry place.

Dosage

Miss Dose

If you miss a dose of Lamivudine Zidovudine take it as soon as you remember. Don?t take the missed dose if the time to take the next dose is almost up. Taking multiple doses near to each other can lead to excess medication in your body which can be harmful.

Over Dose

In case of an overdose of Lamivudine Zidovudine, get emergency medical attention or call the Doctor immediately. Overdose can cause some of the side effects listed below in this guide.

Lamivudine Zidovudine Side Effects

Diarrhea and fever, Redistribution/accumulation of body fat, Acne-like rash, Depression, Arthralgia, Increase in blood urea or creatine phosphokinase, Dizziness, Insomnia, Cough, Fatigue and malaise, Abdominal cramps, Anorexia and stomatitis, Thrombocytopenia, Worsening of hepatitis b infection, Myalgia, Amylase, Peripheral neuropathy, Musculoskeletal pain, Chills, Neuropathy, Abdominal pain, Neutropenia, Dyspepsia, Pancreatitis, Andheadache

EXPERT ADVICE

• Consult your doctor if you have diabetes and are using insulin.
• Patients receiving this therapy are always at a risk for infections and hence should report any such cases to the doctor.
• Consult your doctor if you take any prescription medication; Inform your doctor if you take other medicine for treatment of HIV or hepatitis B infection, hairy cell leukemia [a type of blood cancer], or antibiotics for infection.
• Duovir Tablets may rarely cause a serious side effect like lactic acidosis with symptoms such as pain or weakness of muscle, numbness or feeling cold in arms or legs, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, lack of breath, aberrant heart rate, dizziness, weak or tired feeling; hence, inform the doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
• It is possible to pass on HIV when on this medication and hence it is important to take necessary precautions to prevent HIV from spreading.
• Inform you doctor if you notice signs of change in the distribution of fat (lipodystrophy), erosion of bones (osteronecrosis), or inflammation of pancreas (pancreatitis).
• If you are on therapy it is important to use effective non hormonal method of contraception or condom so that a pregnancy can be avoided.
• Use with caution in pediatric patients with a history of pancreatitis or other significant risk factors for pancreatitis.

FAQs

Q: Is lamivudine safe during pregnancy?
A: Lamivudine can be taken during pregnancy if the benefit outweighs the risk.

Q: Is it safe to use lamivudine during breastfeeding?
A: HIV infected women should not breastfeed for the risk of passing the virus to the baby through the breast milk.

Q: Can lamivudine cure hepatitis B?
A: Lamivudine is used to treat hepatitis B but some patients may be resistant to this drug

Q: Can lamivudine be crushed?
A: Lamivudine (Duovir Tablets) cannot be crushed but it can be broken into two parts to give it to children. Please go by the recommendation of the doctor.

Q: Can lamivudine cause anemia?
A: Lamivudine may cause anemia as a side effect in some patients. Kindly consult your doctor in case any side effects are observed.

Q: Is zidovudine safe during pregnancy?
A: Zidovudine may harm the baby. Zidovudine should only be given if there is no other alternative drug. Please follow your doctor?s advice regarding its use.

Q: Is it safe to use zidovudine during breastfeeding?
A: Zidovudine (Duovir Tablets) is not safe for the baby and should not be used by women who are breastfeeding.

Q: Is zidovudine an antibiotic?
A: No, zidovudine is not an antibiotic; it belongs to a class of drugs called antiretrovirals.

Q: Is zidovudine a prodrug?
A: Yes, zidovudine is a prodrug and must be activated (by phosphorylation in lymphocytes) in the body to exert its antiviral action.

Q: Is zidovudine a protease inhibitor?
A: No, zidovudine is not a protease inhibitor; it is a nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor.

Q: How does zidovudine work?
A: Zidovudine belongs to a group of medications called nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), also known as antiretrovirals. Zidovudine does not cure HIV infection; it reduces the amount of viruses in the body by inhibiting the chemical (viral reverse transcriptase) which is essential for the virus to grow. Further, zidovudine also increases some white blood cells (CD4 cells) of the body that are important in fighting infections.

Q: Does zidovudine cross placenta?
A: Zidovudine crosses placenta and thereby reducing the HIV transmission from the mother to the fetus.

Q: What is zidovudine used for? What does it prevent?
A: Duovir Tablets (Zidovudine) is used in combination with other antiretroviral medicines for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Zidovudine is also indicated for use in HIV-positive pregnant (over 14 weeks) women for prevention of maternal-fetal HIV transmission (passing of infection), and for primary preventive treatment of HIV infection in new-born infants.

Q: How is zidovudine administered?
A: Zidovudine can be administered as tablets, syrups and suspension in combination with other antiretroviral medications.

Q: Does zidovudine cause muscle pain?
A: Yes, muscle pain is a known adverse effect of use zidovudine (duovir tablets).

Q: Does zidovudine cause lipodystrophy?
A: There are no known effects of zidovudine (duovir tablets) on lipid distribution and it is not known to cause lipodystrophy.

Q: How does zidovudine cause anemia?
A: Zidovudine is known to cause bone marrow depression and thereby cause anemia (reduction in red blood cell count).

Q: How much does zidovudine cost?
A: The price of zidovudine (duovir tablets) may vary depending upon the brand prescribed to you.
Please read the instruction on the package for the correct price of the product.