DUOVIR Tablet

ABOUT THE DRUG:

Duovir contains two drugs: Lamivudine and Zidovudine. It is the medicine that is used with other HIV drugs for the control of HIV infections. This drug is very effective in decreasing the chances of a person getting infected with this virus. Duovir  improves the condition of the patient.
Lamivudine and Zidovudine are both NRTIs i.e. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

USES OF THE DRUG:

This medicine is used for HIV infections. HIV is Human Immunodeficiency Virus; this virus is responsible for spreading AIDS disease. HIV can be transmitted through blood transfusion, mother to child during pregnancy and through sexual contact with infected persons etc.

WORKING OF THE DRUG:

Lamivudine and Zidovudine inhibits reverse transcriptase of HIV and prevents the proper transcription of the viral DNA. They both inhibit the HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme competitively and act as a chain terminator of DNA synthesis. The chain elongation process is inhibited and finally the viral DNA growth is inhibited.

DOSAGE FORM AND STRENGTHS:

This drug is available in the tablet form in the following strength on our website:

Duovir 150 +300 tablet

DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG IF YOU:

Are allergic to this drug or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
Are pregnant, take all the medicine for HIV prescribed by the doctor, to prevent the spread of HIV to the unborn baby.
Are breastfeeding or planning to breast feed
Have very low WBC/ RBC count

TELL YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU:

Have kidney problems
Have liver abnormalities
Have problem related to pancreas
Have nervous system abnormalities
Have muscle related problems

HOW MUCH TO TAKE THE DRUG?

Lamivudine dosage may depend on a range of factors like age, sex, drug allergies, or seriousness of the condition among several other factors. Your dosage will be determined by your doctor after examining you properly. The usual recommended dosage of Lamivudine is as follows:

For adults and children over 12 years: one 150/300 mg tablet daily

For adults weighing less than 50 kg/ 110 pounds and the children below 12 years: they are generally recommended to take the drugs Lamivudine and Zidovudine separately so that the dosage of both can be adjusted accordingly. Do not break or divide the tablets or dissolve it.

HOW TO TAKE THE DRUG?

Duovir comes as tablet and is taken orally with water. Take this medication with a full glass of water. Follow the directions given by the doctor on your prescription carefully and take is exactly as directed by the doctor. Do not take more or less than the prescription.
Duovir tablet can be taken with or without food. Discuss the time of the day the drug should be taken with your doctor and take the tablet as prescribed by him. Take the dose at the correct time and that too the correct quantity because the improvement of the condition of the patient depends upon the correct dose taken at correct time.

FOR HOW LONG TO TAKE?

Continue to take the drug for as long as the doctor recommends. Do not stop taking the medicines without consulting the doctor. Stopping the dose or taking it more often than recommended may cause an increase in the amount of viruses and will make this situation worse and difficult to treat.

OVERDOSE:

Too much Duovir or in fact of any other drug is ought to cause some or the other kind of changes in the body. These changes sometimes might be severe and harmful. So, one should never exceed the dose without recommendation from the doctor. In such a case, visit nearest healthcare center or call the emergency helpline number.

MISS DOSE:

If you miss a dose of Duovir, take it as soon as you remember. Don’t take the missed dose if the time to take the next dose is almost up. Taking multiple doses near to each other can lead to excess medication in your body which can be harmful.

SIDE EFFECTS OF THE DRUG:

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

Nausea
Diarrhea
Stuffy nose
Muscle pain
Unexplained weight loss
Joint pain
Vision changes
Skin rashes, hives and itching
Tiredness
Heat intolerance
Thyroid gland enlargement or goiter
Increased bruising or bleeding
Signs of pancreatitis

In above situations you must go for immediate medical help. Do not get alarmed by the list. You may /may not experience all of them. Tell your doctor immediately in the above situations. Discuss with him about the risks and benefits of this treatment.

COMMON DRUG INTERACTIONS:

There are certain drugs that might interfere in the action of the other drugs. Some interactions may result in serious side effects. The following drugs interact with this drug:

Interferon Alfa
Probenecid
Ribavirin
Stavudine
Zalcitabine

Some medicines are involved in the removal of Zidovudine such as Fluconazole, Rifampin, and Valproic Acid.
Tell your doctor about all the drugs you have taken in past or are taking including the herbal drugs. Ask your doctor to get the full list of the drugs needed to be avoided while taking the drug as they may interfere it and may cause adverse effects.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

Lamivudine and Zidovudine will not keep you from spreading HIV to others so, take the necessary precautions
The serious effects of this drug mostly occur in women and obese people
Tell the doctor immediately if the liver problems worsens
Keep regular contact with your doctor in case of emergency
Patients should never miss the dose as it?s a part of combination therapy