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Introduction About DUOVIR TABLET
DUOVIR TABLET is a combination of Lamivudine and Zidovudine which belongs to the group of medicines called Anti-viral agents. It is used to manage HIV infection. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection is a viral infection that damages our immune system and weakens our body’s ability to fight against various infections.
Before taking DUOVIR TABLET inform your doctor if you have any liver problems, kidney problems or hepatitis B or C infection. Do not take DUOVIR TABLET if you are allergic to lamivudine or zidovudine.
Although DUOVIR TABLET can manage HIV infection, it is important for you to follow certain measures to manage the spread of infections to the other people (such as avoid having unprotected sexual intercourse or sharing needles or personal items like toothbrush, razors etc with other people). DUOVIR TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant and in breastfeeding women.
The most common side effects of taking DUOVIR TABLET are headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fever, general sensation of being unwell, lack of sleep, muscle pains or cramps, joint pain, runny nose and low RBC or WBC count in blood. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects trouble you.
Uses Of DUOVIR TABLET
- Manage HIV infection
How DUOVIR TABLET Works
DUOVIR TABLET is an anti-viral medicine. It controls the multiplication of viral cell within the body, by blocking the actions of certain viral enzymes (HIV-reverse transcriptase) that is required for their growth and survival. It can also increase the number of certain types of white blood cells (CD4) in the body which improves immunity among the affected patients.
How to use DUOVIR TABLET
Take DUOVIR TABLET as directed by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. DUOVIR TABLET can be taken with or without meals.
Your doctor will decide the correct dose and for how long DUOVIR TABLET must be taken depending upon your age, body weight and severity of the infection. Do not stop taking DUOVIR TABLET without consulting your doctor as it may reduce its effectiveness.
Side Effects Of DUOVIR TABLET
Common
- Headache, dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite
- Tiredness, lack of energy
- Fever, general sensation of being unwell, cough
- Lack of sleep (insomnia)
- Muscle pains or cramps
- Joint pain
- Nasal irritation, runny nose
- Skin rash, hair loss
- Low RBC or WBC count in blood
- Liver problems (causing yellowing of skin)
Uncommon
- Shortness of breath
- Bloating
- Low platelet count in blood
Rare
- Changes in taste
- Passing more urine than usual
- Enlarged breasts in men
- Changes in colour of the skin or nails
- Tingling or numbness of body parts
Stop taking DUOVIR TABLET and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- Loss of fat from face, arms and legs (signs of lipoatrophy)
- Signs of allergic reactions (such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat causing difficulty in breathing or swallowing)
- Liver inflammation, jaundice, enlarged liver, fatty liver
- Lactic acidosis (causing drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, deep or rapid breathing, numbness of weakness in the limbs)
- Inflammation of pancreas
- Chest pain
- Fits, depression, anxiety
- Opportunistic infections or flaring up of old infections
- pure red cell aplasia (failure of bone marrow to produce new red blood cells)
- signs of infections (such as fever, headache, stomach-ache, breathing difficulty)
- signs of auto-immune disorders (such as muscle weakness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, tremor, hyperactivity, general weakness)
- signs of osteonecrosis (death of bone cells causing joint stiffness, pain in the hip, knee or shoulder and difficulty in moving)
- signs of liver problems (such as yellowing of the skin and whites of the eye, dark urine, light-coloured stools, loss of appetite, nausea, pain, tenderness on the right side of stomach)
How To Manage Side Effects
Headache:
Rest and relax. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Applying a pain-relieving balm on your forehead can be beneficial. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your headache. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.
Dizziness:
Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely while you are feeling dizzy. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your dizziness. Consult your doctor if your dizziness worsens.
Nausea and vomiting:
Take DUOVIR TABLET with or just after a meal or a snack. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating rich or spicy food. Consult your doctor if your nausea worsens.
Warning & Precautions
Pregnancy
DUOVIR TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless considered necessary by the physician. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding should be discontinued in mothers infected with HIV infection. However, consult your doctor before taking DUOVIR TABLET if you wish to breastfeed.
Driving and Using Machines
Do not drive or operate any machines if your ability is affected by DUOVIR TABLET.
Alcohol
Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking DUOVIR TABLET.
Kidney
DUOVIR TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Liver
DUOVIR TABLET should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases or a previous history of liver infections (such as Hepatitis B or C infection). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Allergy
Do not take DUOVIR TABLET if you are allergic to lamivudine or to zidovudine.
Others
DUOVIR TABLET is not recommended for use if you:
- have a very low RBC or WBC count in blood
Before taking DUOVIR TABLET inform your doctor if you:
- are overweight
- have a weak immune system
- take corticosteroids to heal any auto-immune conditions
- are an alcoholic
Use in paediatrics:
DUOVIR TABLET should be used with caution in children and in adolescents (aged below 18 years; minimum body weight 14 kg). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Use in geriatrics:
DUOVIR TABLET should be used with caution in elderly people. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Interactions
A. Drug-Drug interactions:
Before taking DUOVIR TABLET inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:
- other medicines used to manage HIV infection (such as emtricitabine, lamivudine combinations (such as tenofovir/lamivudine, lamivudine/stavudine)
- ribavirin, ganciclovir (used to manage viral infections)
- co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) used to manage bacterial infections
- cladribine (an anti-cancer medicine used to manage hairy cell leukaemia)
- phenytoin and sodium valproate (medicines used to manage epilepsy)
- interferons (used to improve immunity) such as pegylated interferon alpha2B
- pyrimethamine (a medicine used to manage malaria or parasitic infection)
- dapsone (a medicine used to manage leprosy)
- medicines used to manage fungal infections (such as amphotericin B, fluconazole or flucytosine)
- pentamidine or atovaquone (used to manage parasitic infections)
- probenecid (a medicine used to manage gout)
- methadone (a medicine used for pain relief)
- medicines used to manage cancer (such as vincristine, vinblastine or doxorubicin)
- clarithromycin (a medicine used to manage bacterial infections)
- medicines containing sorbitol and other sugar alcohols such as xylitol, mannitol, lactitol or maltitol
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally took more DUOVIR TABLET, consult your doctor immediately.
Synopsis
| Drug | : | Lamivudine, Zidovudine |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | HIV infection |
| Dosage Forms | : | Tablet |
More Information
- Keep DUOVIR TABLET out of reach of children
- Store DUOVIR TABLET at room temperature
FAQs About DUOVIR TABLET
Q: What is DUOVIR TABLET?
A: DUOVIR TABLET is an antiviral medicine used to manage HIV infection. It acts by reducing the multiplication of viral cells within the body. It also improves immunity by increasing the numbers of certain white blood cells (CD4) in the body which is required to fight against various infections.
Q: Is DUOVIR TABLET safe?
A: DUOVIR TABLET should be used only under medical supervision. It may cause few side effects like headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fever, general sensation of being unwell, lack of sleep, muscle pains or cramps, joint pain, runny nose and low RBC or WBC count in blood. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects trouble you.
Q: How does DUOVIR TABLET work in our body?
A: DUOVIR TABLET acts by blocking the actions of certain viral enzymes (HIV-reverse transcriptase) that is required for the viral cell to grow and multiply. This reduces the multiplication of viral cells within the body. It can also improve immunity in the affected patients by increasing the number of certain types of white blood cells (CD4) in the body which is required to fight against various infection.
Q: Can I stop taking DUOVIR TABLET if I feel unwell?
A: No. Do not stop taking DUOVIR TABLET without consulting your doctor. Take DUOVIR TABLET regularly, because if you miss a dose of DUOVIR TABLET or take it at irregular intervals, you may not achieve better results.
Q: What to do if I forget to take a dose of DUOVIR TABLET?
A: If you miss a dose of DUOVIR TABLET take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time to take the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one at regular time. Do not take a double dose of DUOVIR TABLET to compensate the missed dose.
Q: Can DUOVIR TABLET manage HIV completely?
A: No. DUOVIR TABLET cannot not manage HIV infection completely. It can reduce only the number of viral cells present in the body and maintains them at a lower level.
Q: What are the precautions to be followed while taking DUOVIR TABLET?
A: Before taking DUOVIR TABLET inform your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems (such as hepatitis C or B infection). Regularly visit your doctor and take all the blood tests recommended for you. Consult your doctor before taking DUOVIR TABLET if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not stop taking DUOVIR TABLET without consulting your doctor. Take DUOVIR TABLET regularly without fail. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any signs of allergic reactions after taking DUOVIR TABLET.
Q: Can DUOVIR TABLET be used in children?
A: DUOVIR TABLET should be used with caution in children and in adolescents (aged below 18 years; minimum body weight 14 kg). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Q: How to take DUOVIR TABLET?
A: Take DUOVIR TABLET as directed by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. DUOVIR TABLET can be taken with or without meals. Continue to take DUOVIR TABLET regularly as advised by your physician for maximum benefits.
References
1. K.D. Tripathi. Antiviral Drugs. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. 7th Edition. 2013. Page – 811 & 803.
2. Peter L. Anderson and Joseph E. Rower. Zidovudine and Lamivudine for HIV Infection. NIH. National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC. PubMed Central. October 2010. [Accessed on 7th January 2023] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2954111/
3. Milpharm Limited. Lamivudine/Zidovudine 150 mg/ 300 mg film-coated tablets lamivudine/zidovudine. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC) [Revised in September 2021] [Accessed on 7th January 2023] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2998.pdf
4. Central Drugs Standard Control Organization. Lamivudine + zidovudine tablets. November 1999. [Accessed on 7th January 2023] https://cdscoonline.gov.in/CDSCO/Drugs
Useful Diagnostic Tests
- Complete Blood Count
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