Combivir

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Prescription Drug Information, Side Effects & Interactions for Combivir

Uses
This medication is used to treat HIV infection, generally in combination with other medications.

Notes

This product is not a cure for HIV infection but has shown positive results.
The long-term effects are unknown at this time.
Keep all doctor appointments and scheduled laboratory tests as your condition will be checked closely.
This product does not reduce the risk of passing the virus to others through sexual contact or blood contamination.
This is a potent product.
Do not allow others to use your medication.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 36 and 86 degrees F (2-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.

Combivir

How To Use

HOW TO USE THIS MEDICATION: This product is taken by mouth.
The dosage is one tablet twice daily, with or without food.
Take exactly as directed and continue to take your other HIV drugs.
Do not stop using your medication unless directed to do so.

Side Effects

Headache, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, sleep problems may occur.
If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.
Report promptly any muscle pain, stomach pain or tingling and numbness.
Unlikely but report promptly any persistent sore throat, fever, yellowing eyes or skin, fatigue, rapid breathing, confusion, any hair loss, unusual increase in amount of urine, seizures or dark urine.
Very unlikely but report promptly any unusual bleeding or bruising.
Seek immediate medical attention if an allergic reaction occurs.
Symptoms include skin rash, difficulty breathing, hives or itching.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before using this product, tell your doctor your medical history, including any allergies (especially drug allergies), blood or bone marrow disorders; liver, kidney or heart disease; alcoholism, hepatitis B virus infection and of major injury/surgery/infection.
This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
This product may be excreted into breast milk.
Do not breast feed because breast milk can transmit HIV.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for any questions.
This product is not recommended in children less than 12 years old since the dosage cannot be adjusted for this age group.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially interferons, other drugs that affect the bone marrow (e.g., anticancer drugs, chloramphenicol), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, atovaquone, fluconazole, methadone, valproic acid, probenecid, ganciclovir or protease inhibitors (e.g., indinavir, ritonavir).
This product contains both zidovudine and lamivudine.
Do not take other medicine containing zidovudine or lamivudine unless directed to do so.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.