Combivir

Generic Name :Lamivudine, Zidovudine

Combivir is an anti-HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) combination drug. It is included in the category of drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, or NRTIs, a group of anti-HIV drugs that control and block the replication of HIV in a body.

Combivir is the brand name of an antiviral product which combines two drugs, lamivudine and zidovudine, which is prescribed to fight HIV, the virus causing acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. It is manufactured and marketed by GlaxoSmithKline and has been approved in 1997 by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for use in the treatment of people living with HIV.

Though Combivir does not guarantee to cure or stop HIV infection and prevent its transfer to others, it lowers the ability of the HIV virus to replicate and at the same time, infect new, clean, uninfected cells. Taken with other anti-HIV drugs, this combination of lamivudine and zidovudine decreases the body’s viral load (the amount of HIV virus in the body), and raise the CD4 or T-cell count. As an NRTI, Combivir must be taken in combination with other anti-HIV medications, which include a protease inhibitor (PI), and a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, or NNRTI. PIs prevent infected T-cells from producing new copies of HIV. NNRTIs, on the other hand, prevent the healthy T-cells from being infected with HIV.

Taken twice daily, Combivir is available in tablet form. It can be taken with or without food, one table in the morning and another in the evening. If a dose is missed, it is advised to just take the next scheduled dose, and not to take double doses at once to prevent overdosage. However, the symptoms of a Combivir overdose is not yet known, several signs include dizziness, headache, confusion, nausea, and vomiting. Combivir can be administered to adults and adolescents, but never to children below 12 years old.

The various side effects of Combivir

NRTIs, including the lamivudine and zidovudine combination of Combivir, are also known to increase the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. They also cause irregular changes in a person’s body shape, because of the increased fat in the stomach area, breasts, and back of neck, but at the same time, a significant decrease of fat in the face, arms, and legs will be noticed. Diabetes is also known to be a side effect of Combivir.

Patients with kidney and liver problems and pancreatitis may not be prescribed to take Combivir, or they may be given low doses. Pregnant and lactating women, children below 12 years old, and the elderly may also be prevented from taking the combination drug. Combivir is a pregnancy category C drug, which means that studies have demonstrated harmful effects on the fetus and that there are no sufficient studies yet conducted on humans. It is also unknown if Combivir is passed on to breast milk by a nursing mother who is taking the drug.

In spite of the mentioned side effects of lamivudine and zidovudine, Combivir is a part of the numerous helpful therapies now available for people living with HIV.