Description

Cross-resistance may develop when given with emtricitabine. Exacerbation of anaemia with concomitant use of zidovudine with ribavirin. Increased adverse effects to zidovudine with nephrotoxic or myelosuppressive drugs (e.g. systemic pentamide, dapsone, pyrimethamine, co-trimoxazole, amphotericin, flucytosine, ganciclovir, interferon, vincristine, vinblastine, doxorubicin). Lamivudine and zalcitabine may inhibit the intracellular phosphorylation of one another. Antagonistic effect when zidovudine is used concomitantly with stavudine or doxorubicin.

Side effects of this medicine- More common: Chills, fever, pale skin; sore throat; unusual tiredness or weakness, headache Less common: Abdominal pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs, muscle tenderness and weakness, nausea, skin rash, vomiting, yellow eyes or skin. Coughing, decreased appetite, diarrhea, dizziness and trouble in sleeping may occurs

Pregnancy Category C. There arc no adequate and well controlled studies of this drug in pregnant women. This drug should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefits outweigh the risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that HIV-infected mothers should not breast-feed their infants to avoid risking postnatal transmission of HIV. Because of the potential for HIV transmission and the potential for serious adverse effects in nursing infants, mothers should be instructed not to breast feed if they are receiving efavirenz.

Patients with HIV and Hepatitis B virus Coinfection: Safety and efficacy of Lamivudine have not been established for treatment of chronic hepatitis B in patients dually infected with HIV and HBV. Emergence of hepatitis B virus variants associated with resistance to Lamivudine has also been reported in HIV-infected patients who have received Lamivuuine-containing antiretroviral regimens in the presence of concurrent infection with Hepatitis B virus. Post-treatment exacerbations of hepatitis have also been reported. Patients with Impaired Renal Function: Reduction of the dosages of Lamivudine and Zidovudine is recommended for patients with impaired renal function. Patients with creatinine clearance <50 ml/min should not receive this combination tablet. Fat Redistribution: Redistribution/accumulation of body fat including central obesity, dorsocervical fat enlargement (buffalo hump), peripheral wasting, facial wasting, breast enlargement, and cushingoid appearance have been observed in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Drugs for HIV / Anti-retroviral drugs

Stored at a cool and dry place, protected from light and moisture. Keep the medicine out of the reach of children.