COMBIVIR

Drug Name: COMBIVIR

COMBIVIR DESCRIPTION:
LAMIVUDINE/ZIDOVUDINE - ORAL (lam-EYE-view-deen/zye-DOE-view-deen)

COMMON COMBIVIR BRAND NAME(S):
Combivir

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

HOW TO USE COMBIVIR:
COMBIVIR: 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.

COMBIVIR WARNING:
COMBIVIR has caused has caused severe, even fatal, liver and blood disorders (e.g., lactic acidosis neutropenia, anemia), especially in people with advanced HIV infection. Notify your doctor immediately if you have dark urine, unusual fatigue, yellowing of the skin or eyes, rapid breathing, drowsiness, muscle aches, stomach/abdominal pain, or signs of an infection, such as a persistent fever or sore throat.

COMBIVIR USES:
COMBIVIR is used to treat HIV infection, generally in combination with other medications.

COMBIVIR PRECAUTIONS:
Before using this product, tell your doctor your medical history, including: allergies (especially drug allergies), blood or bone marrow disorders, liver disease, kidney problems, heart disease, alcoholism, hepatitis B virus infection, major injuries/surgeries/infections. COMBIVIR 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.

COMBIVIR DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially of: interferons, other drugs that affect the bone marrow (e.g., anticancer drugs, chloramphenicol), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, atovaquone, fluconazole, methadone, valproic acid, probenecid, ganciclovir, 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.

COMBIVIR OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion.

COMBIVIR 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.

MISSED COMBIVIR 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.

COMBIVIR STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 36 and 86 degrees F (2-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information on enrollment call Medic Alert(TM) at 1-800-854-1166. In Canada call 1-800-668-1507.