How to use

Generic Combivir should be taken orally with a full glass of water, once or twice a day. You can take this medication with or without food.

Follow the directions of your doctor exactly, as he may decide to adjust the dosage based on various factors, such as your age, height, weight, general health and the condition being treated.

To have the maximum benefits of Generic Combivir, you should take this medication at approximately the same time every day and at evenly spaced intervals. This ensures you always have the same level of this medication in your blood stream.

Overdose
Possible symptoms of a Generic Combivir overdose include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Convulsions (seizures)

If you suspect that you may have taken too much this medication, you should contact your local poison control center or emergency medical services immediately.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of Generic Combivir you should take the dose as soon as you remember.  If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled.  Do not double up on this medication to make up for missed doses.

Notes

Make sure to have regular medical check-ups and tests to check on your progress and see if you are suffering from any side effects. Patients who are HIV-positive or have AIDS should stay under medical supervision at all times.

Do not share Generic Combivir with others as their condition may not be effectively treated by this medication.

Storage

Store Generic Combivir at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), away from heat and moisture. KEEP THIS AND ALL OTHER MEDICATION OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. 

Important note
The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed that the taking of this medication is safe, appropriate or effective for you.

Precautions
Before taking Generic Combivir, inform your doctor if you suffer from or ever have suffered from:

• Any allergies
• A kidney or liver disease
• A pancreas disorder
• Bone marrow suppression
• Problems with your muscle
• Alcohol use
• Low red or white blood cell counts

Generic Combivir can lower the blood cell count in your body and this can make you more susceptible to diseases and infections. Make sure  you take care of your personal hygiene at all times when taking this medication.

Children (especially those with pancreatitis) may be more sensitive to this medication, so caution is advised when this medication is used by that age group.

Generic Combivir is classed as Pregnancy Category C by the FDA. This means it is not yet known whether this medication can be harmful for an unborn baby. However, HIV medications are usually given to pregnant women when clearly needed and the risks and benefits have been thoroughly weighed up. Treatment with this medication has also been shown to decrease the risk of HIV transmission to the baby.
Women who are HIV-positive and/ or under treatment with Generic Combivir should not breastfeed. Even if a baby is born without HIV, the virus can still be passed on through breast milk.

Drug Interactions

Before taking Generic Combivir, you should inform your doctor of all other medications you use, especially of:

• Cancer treatments
• Stavudine (Zerit)
• Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
• Zalcitabine (Hivid)
• Ganciclovir (Cytovene)
• Interferon-alfa (Roferon, Intron, Rebetron)
• Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim (Bactrim, Proloprim, Septra, Trimpex, SMX-TMP)
• Ribavirin (Rebetol, Ribasphere, Copegus Virazole)
• Epivir
• Retrovir
• Epzicom (Abacavir and Lamivudine)
• Trizivir (Abacavir, Lamivudine, Zidovudine)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Generic Combivir. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Possible common side effects of Generic Combivir include:

• Changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts and trunk)
• Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Numbness or tingling
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Headache, dizziness, tired feeling
• Cough, runny or stuffy nose

Inform your doctor immediately if you encounter any of the following unlikely but serious side effects:

• Fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• Pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness
• Trouble swallowing, trouble standing up or climbing stairs
• Liver problems
• Stomach pain, loss of appetite
• Dark urine
• Clay-colored stools
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate)
• White patches or sores inside the mouth or on the lips

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Generic Combivir:

• Hives
• Difficult breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

Some people develop a life-threatening condition called Lactic Acidosis while taking Generic Combivir. Seek emergency medical help if you notice even mild symptoms of Lactic Acidosis, as these can get worse over time. Symptoms include:

• Muscle pain or weakness
• Numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs
• Trouble breathing;
• Feeling dizzy, light-headed, tired or very weak
• Stomach pain, nausea with vomiting
• Slow or uneven heart rate

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Let your doctor know if you experience any other side effects than the ones mentioned above, especially if they are bothersome.