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Duovir Tablet
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Duovir Tablet

Manufactured byCIPLA LTD
ContainsLamivudine (150 mg) + Zidovudine (300 mg)
Description
Duovir Tablet is a combination of Zidovudine and Lamivudine. It is an antiviral medicine used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (a condition that occurs when the virus attacks the immune system and interferes with your body's ability to fight infections or diseases) in adults and children weighing above 30 kgs. Duovir Tablet will not cure HIV infection, but it will delay the progression of a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other HIV-related conditions. This medicine works by preventing the virus from multiplying. Duovir Tablet shows some side effects like nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, headache, confusion, dizziness, trouble sleeping, etc. Consult your doctor if they bother you for a long time or worsen. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to it. Duovir Tablet may be taken with food or without food. Take it in the dose and duration prescribed by your doctor. Avoid taking more than the recommended dose. Take it every day at the same time to maintain a consistent level of this medicine in your blood. Do not discontinue this medication without consulting your doctor, as it may worsen your condition. Duovir Tablet may not be suitable for everyone. It is not recommended for use in children weighing less than 30 kg. Inform your doctor if you have heart, liver, or kidney problems or any other health conditions. Also, inform your doctor about all your ongoing medications to avoid undesired effects. Duovir Tablet is unsafe for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding. If you have an HIV infection, it is not recommended to breastfeed, as the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may transfer to the baby through breastmilk.
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Side effectsConcernsUsage

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Duovir Tablet

  • Chills and fever
  • Sore throat
  • Pale skin
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Diarrhoea
  • Rash
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Abdominal and stomach cramps
  • Loss of appetite
  • Depression
  • Difficulty in falling asleep
  • Coughing

Uses of Duovir Tablet

What is it prescribed for?

  • HIV infection
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • How long does it take for this medicine to take effect?
    The time required for Duovir Tablet to show its effect is not clinically established.
  • How long do the effects of this medicine last?
    The time for which Duovir Tablet remains active in the body is not clinically established.
  • Is it safe to consume alcohol while taking this medicine?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is this a habit forming medicine?
    No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Duovir Tablet.
  • Can this medicine be taken during pregnancy?
    Duovir Tablet is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
  • Can this medicine be taken while breast-feeding?
    The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking Duovir Tablet. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.

Allergy

Avoid taking Duovir Tablet if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Sever liver impairment

Duovir Tablet is not recommended for use if you have moderate to severe liver problems, as this medicine may cause liver toxicity and further worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Duovir Tablet is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking Duovir Tablet. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
General warnings

Immune reconstitution syndrome

Immune reconstitution syndrome is a condition in which your immune system becomes hyperactive leading to swelling in the body. It usually occurs in the first six months of treatment of HIV/AIDS. Duovir Tablet can lead to immune reconstitution syndrome. Inform your doctor if you develop any new symptoms after starting treatment with this medicine.

Lactic acidosis

Duovir Tablet should be taken with caution due to the increased risk of lactic acidosis (increased level of lactic acid in the blood). Consult your doctor immediately if you experience muscle pain, unusual fruity-smelling breath, extreme weakness, fatigue, breathing difficulty, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, fast or abnormal heartbeat, etc.

Fat redistribution

Duovir Tablet should be used with caution as it may cause fat gain or fat loss in the body. It may result in central obesity, buffalo hump (excess fat behind the neck), peripheral wasting (difficulty in moving an arm or leg or making any movement), facial wasting (fat loss in the cheeks and temples), breast enlargement, and cushingoid appearance (extra fat build up on the sides of the face and weight gain). Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.

Opportunistic infections

Duovir Tablet can make you prone to other infections and complications associated with HIV infections. Your doctor will monitor you closely during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative will be done by your doctor.

Pancreatitis

Duovir Tablet should be taken with caution if you have pancreatitis (swelling in the pancreas, an organ near the stomach that helps in the digestion of food), as it can worsen your condition. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.

Liver or kidney condition

Duovir Tablet should be taken with caution if you have a liver or kidney condition, as it can worsen your health. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.

Anaemia

Duovir Tablet should be taken with caution if you have anaemia (low red blood cell counts), as it can worsen your condition. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.

Use in children

Duovir Tablet should be given to children with at least 30 kg weight.

Missed Dose

Do not miss the dose of Duovir Tablet. In case you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.

Overdose

Do not take more than the prescribed dose of Duovir Tablet. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Clozapine

Methotrexate

Atorvastatin

Ganciclovir

Disease interactions

Bone marrow suppression

Bone marrow suppression is a condition in which there is decreased production of blood cells in your bone marrow (a spongy substance present at the centre of your bones). Duovir Tablet should be used with caution if you have a pre-existing condition as it may cause a further decrease in blood counts.

Kidney dysfunction

Duovir Tablet is filtered by kidneys, therefore, should be used with extreme caution if you have mild to moderate kidney disorders. Your doctor can adjust your dose or replace it with another medicine according to your condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Take Duovir Tablet with or without food. Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet. Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. It should not be taken for more than recommended dose. Take the medicine as directed by your doctor. Take it at the same time every day for the ease of remembering. Consult your doctor if you do not feel better even after completing the course of treatment. Do not stop the medicine without consulting your doctor as it can increase the chances of reinfection which may be challenging to treat in the future. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your kidney and liver function.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Duovir Tablet is a combination of Lamivudine and Zidovudine. It works by stopping the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying. This helps in reducing the chances of the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by HIV and other HIV-related illnesses.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Antiviral combinations

Schedule

Schedule H

Accessdata.fda.gov. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 2 August 2022].

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/20857s030lbl.pdf

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. COMBIVIR (lamivudine and zidovudine) tablet, film coated. [online] Available at: [Accessed 2 August 2022].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=b03e286a-4d44-489a-89d0-ee563e1f280f&type=display
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Information on this page was last updated on 12 Jan 2023

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