Lamivudine and Zidovudine (Systemic)
Brand Names : Combivir
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For lamivudine and zidovudine
combination, the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to lamivudine or zidovudine. Also tell your health care
professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,
or dyes.
Pregnancy - Lamivudine and zidovudine combination has not been
studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that zidovudine
causes birth defects when given in very high doses. Before taking this lamivudine
and zidovudine combination, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant
or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - Zidovudine passes into breast milk. It is not known
whether lamivudine passes into breast milk. However, if your baby does not
already have the AIDS virus, there is a chance that you could pass it to your
baby by breast-feeding. Talk to your doctor first if you are thinking about
breast-feeding your baby.
Children - Either lamivudine or zidovudine used alone may cause
serious side effects, and children should receive less of these medicines
than adults. However, lamivudine and zidovudine combination contains a fixed
amount of each medicine that cannot be decreased. Therefore, lamivudine and
zidovudine combination is not recommended for children less than 12 years
of age, or children who weigh less than 50 kilograms (110 pounds) because
the amounts of lamivudine and zidovudine in this product cannot be adjusted
for smaller body sizes.
Adolescents - Lamivudine and zidovudine combination contains a
fixed amount of each medicine that cannot be decreased. Therefore, this medicine
is not recommended for patients who weigh less than 50 kilograms (110 pounds)
because the amounts of lamivudine and zidovudine in this product cannot be
adjusted for smaller body sizes.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects
or problems in older people. Many older people have problems with their liver,
heart and kidneys. Your doctor may change the amount of medicine you take
because of other health problems.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
lamivudine and zidovudine combination, it is especially important that your
health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
-
Amphotericin B by injection (e.g., Fungizone) or
-
Antineoplastics (cancer medicine) or
-
Azathioprine (e.g., Imuran) or
-
Chloramphenicol (e.g., Chloromycetin) or
-
Clozapine (e.g., Clozaril) or
-
Colchicine or
-
Didanosine (e.g., Videx) or
-
Eflornithine (e.g., Ornidyl) or
-
Flucytosine (e.g., Ancobon) or
-
Ganciclovir (e.g., Cytovene) or
-
Interferon (e.g., Intron A, Roferon-A)
-
Uracil mustard - Taking lamivudine and zidovudine combination
while you are using or receiving these medicines may make anemia or other
blood problems worse
-
Lamivudine (e.g., Epivir) or
-
Zidovudine (e.g., Retrovir) - Using additional lamivudine or
zidovudine with the combination product may increase the chance of side effects
of lamivudine or zidovudine
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of lamivudine and zidovudine combination. Make
sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Blood problems, including decreased bone marrow production - Lamivudine
and zidovudine combination may make these conditions worse
-
Kidney disease or
-
Liver disease - Patients with kidney or liver disease may experience
an increase in side effects
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