Zidovudine and Lamivudine

Antiviral, Systemic · Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor

Indications

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.

Dosage

Adults: =30 kg: 1 tab twice daily. Children: 21 kg-30 kg: Half tab in the morning and one whole tab in the evening, or, half tab thrice daily. 14 kg-21 kg: Half tab twice daily.

Adverse Effects

Lipoatrophy (discontinue treatment). Lactic acidosis. Headache, insomnia, cough, nasal symptoms, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, rash, alopecia, arthralgia, muscle disorders, fatigue, malaise, fever.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: No evidence of risk in humans. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Abnormally low neutrophil counts. Abnormally low Hb levels. Precautions: Renal and hepatic impairment. Patients co-infected with hep-C and treated with alpha-interferon and ribavirin.

Interactions

Stavudine (avoid). Clarithromycin, co-trimoxazole, phenytoin. Cladribine (avoid).

Advice to Patient

Take with or without meals. Swallow whole without crushing. If unable to swallow, crush tab and add to a small amount of semi-solid food or liquid, all of which should be consumed immediately. Store at room temp away from moisture and heat. Contact prescriber if you experience weakness/tiredness, unusual muscle pain, difficulty in breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, feeling cold esp in arms and legs, dizziness/lightheadedness, fast/irregular heartbeat, yellowing of skin or the whites of your eyes, dark-coloured urine, light-coloured bowel movements, loss of appetite for several days or longer, or, pain in the right side of stomach.

Pharmacokinetics

ZIDOVUDINE: Note: In general, pharmacokinetic data for paediatric patients >3 mths-12 yrs of age are similar to data in adult patients. Absorption: Well absorbed. Metabolism: Hepatic; extensive first-pass effect. Bioavailability: Oral: Similar for tabs, caps and syrup. Neonates <14 days: 89%. Infants 14 days-3 mths: 61%. Infants 3 mths-Children 12 yrs: 65%. Adults: 64% ± 10%. Half-life elimination: Terminal: Premature neonate: 6.3 hrs. Full-term neonates: 3.1 hrs. Infants 14 days-3 mths: 1.9 hrs. Infants 3 mths-Children 12 yrs: 1.5 hrs. Adults: 0.5-3 hrs (mean 1.1 hrs). Time to peak, serum: 30-90 mins. Excretion: Oral: Urine (72%-74% as metabolites, 14%-18% as unchanged drug). IV: Urine (45%-60% as metabolites, 18%-29% as unchanged drug). LAMIVUDINE: Absorption: Rapid. Metabolism: Minor, only known metabolite is trans-sulfoxide metabolite. Bioavailability: Absolute. Children: Oral soln:…

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.