Lamivudine And Zidovudine: What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Lamivudine And Zidovudine

Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lamivudine and zidovudine?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to lamivudine or zidovudine. The combination of lamivudine and zidovudine (Combivir) should not be taken together with any other medications that contain either of the two drugs. This includes Epivir, Retrovir, Epzicom (abacavir and lamivudine), and Trizivir (abacavir, lamivudine, zidovudine).

Before taking lamivudine and zidovudine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• pancreatitis;
• bone marrow suppression; or
• problems with your muscles.

If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may not be able to use lamivudine and zidovudine or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

This medication may cause lactic acidosis (the build up of lactic acid in the body). Lactic acidosis symptoms can start slowly and gradually get worse. Symptoms include unusual muscle pain and weakness, trouble breathing, fast or uneven heart rate, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and numbness or cold feeling in your arms or legs. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms, even if they are only mild. Early signs of lactic acidosis generally get worse over time and this condition can be fatal.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. HIV can be passed to the baby if the mother is not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection while you are pregnant.

Your name may need to be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry when you start using this medication.

You should not breast-feed while you are using lamivudine and zidovudine. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus to the baby in your breast milk.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 12 years old.

Last updated:	September 11, 2006