Duovir

Duovir is used as part of a regimen of antiretroviral medications to treat HIV. Each Duover pill contains 150 mg of Lamivudine and 300 mg of Zidovudine. At least one other anti-HIV medication must be co-administered with Duovir to prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS. Patients 12 years and older should take one Duovir pill twice daily. Those with reduced renal function or who weigh less than 110lb or 50kg should not take Duovir. Anyone hypersensitive to Zidovudine or Lamivudine should avoid Duovir. Some patients taking Duovir have reported the following side effects: headache, rash, nausea, malaise and fatigue, diarrhe, anorexia, vomiting, chills, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, lactic acidosis, fever, anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia. Duovir may cause other side effects. Let you doctor know immediately if you notice any health changes after starting treatment. Patients who suddenly discontinue Duovir may experience hepatitic impairment, lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis. Patients should be monitored for hepatitis for several months after discontinuation. Those with risk factors for liver disease, impaired renal function, bone marrow suppression or hepatic disease should use Duovir with caution. Duovir must be discontinued if lactic acidosis or pronounced hepatotoxicity occur during treatment. Long term use of Duovir may cause myopathy and myositis. Patients taking antiretroviral medications should have their viral load monitored regularly to ensure that treatment is working. Bone marrow suppressive or cytotoxic agents like ganciclovir and interferon-alpha may heighten Zidovudine's hematologic toxicity. Other medications may alter how the kidneys process Duovir, which can cause serious medical issues, so inform your doctor about all of the drugs you plan to take while on Duovir. Zidovudine is known to contaminate breast milk, and it is suspected that Lamivudine does as well. Mothers who have HIV are discouraged from breastfeeding due to the risk of transmitting the virus to their baby. Duovir may be toxic in high doses, so seek medical attention for monitoring right away if you take more Duovir than prescribed.