Combivir, is an antiviral
medication. Lamivudine and zidovudine are in a category of HIV medicines
called reverse transcriptase inhibitors. They inhibit the reproduction
of HIV in the body.
Lamivudine and zidovudine are used together to treat the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes the acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome (AIDS). Combivir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS, and you can
still transmit the virus to others during therapy with this medication.
The effectiveness of either lamivudine or zidovudine when used alone may
decrease as the HIV virus develops resistance to the effects of the
individual drugs. By combining lamivudine and zidovudine, it is more
difficult for the HIV virus to develop resistance to therapy since it
must develop resistance to both drugs. As a result, Combivir is more
effective than lamivudine or zidovudine alone. This medication does not kill
existing HIV virus, and it is not a cure for HIV. Combivir was approved
by the FDA in September, 1997.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most serious side effects are a
decrease in blood cells, muscle pain (myopathy) or muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis),
liver enlargement and metabolic disturbance (lactic acidosis). Other
side effects include chills, rash, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting,
weight loss, headache, cough and insomnia. Accumulation or
redistribution of fat may also occur.
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