Combivir Tablet

Combivir Tablet is a fixed-dose combination tablet containing zidovudine 300mg and lamivudine 150mg, two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) used as part of a combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen for HIV-1 infection. This medicine is prescribed and monitored exclusively by a specialist HIV-care team as one component of a broader treatment plan that always includes at least one additional antiretroviral agent – it is never used as the sole treatment for HIV.

Both zidovudine and lamivudine work by interfering with the enzyme HIV uses to copy its genetic material, which suppresses viral replication and helps keep the amount of virus in the blood as low as possible, but treatment requires ongoing specialist supervision and regular blood monitoring throughout its use.

Zidovudine and lamivudine are both converted inside cells to their active triphosphate forms, which are incorporated into the growing viral DNA chain by HIV’s reverse transcriptase enzyme in place of the natural building blocks, terminating the chain and preventing the virus from completing its genetic copying process, which stops new virus particles from being produced.

Take Combivir Tablet exactly as prescribed by your HIV specialist, at evenly spaced times each day, with or without food, and never skip, delay, or stop doses on your own, as inconsistent dosing can allow the virus to develop resistance to treatment. Keep every scheduled blood test and specialist follow-up appointment so your care team can monitor your blood counts and treatment response.

The usual dose of Combivir Tablet is one tablet twice daily, but the exact regimen and the other antiretroviral medicines used alongside it are individualised by your HIV specialist based on your viral load, CD4 count, and other blood test results. You must have regular blood tests, including full blood counts, before and throughout treatment, because zidovudine can suppress bone marrow function and cause anaemia or low white cell counts.

Use this product before the expiry date stated on the packaging. Do not use the medicine if the expiry date has passed.

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children.

Lamivudine

Zidovudine

• Known hypersensitivity to zidovudine, lamivudine, or any ingredient in this product
• Abnormally low neutrophil counts or haemoglobin levels before starting treatment, unless your specialist determines otherwise
• Concomitant use with other zidovudine- or lamivudine-containing products, to avoid duplicate dosing
• Severe kidney impairment (requires dose adjustment under specialist guidance)

• Ribavirin significantly increases the risk of severe anaemia when combined with zidovudine and is generally avoided together
• Ganciclovir, valganciclovir, and other bone-marrow-suppressing medicines increase the risk of low blood cell counts
• Other nephrotoxic or myelosuppressive drugs should be used cautiously and only under specialist supervision
• Probenecid may increase zidovudine blood levels

• Take every dose exactly on schedule – missed or irregular doses can allow HIV to become resistant to treatment
• Never stop or change this medicine without speaking to your HIV specialist first
• Attend every scheduled blood test, as regular monitoring of your full blood count is essential to catch bone marrow suppression early
• Contact your HIV care team immediately if you notice unusual tiredness, paleness, breathlessness, fever, or persistent nausea/abdominal pain

Lamivudine

Zidovudine