Red and white blood cells, among others, may become less abundant in your blood as a result of lamivudine and zidovudine. Inform your doctor if you currently have or have previously had any bone marrow issues, anaemia (lower-than-normal levels of red blood cells), or any other blood diseases. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms: Shortness of breath, pale complexion, fever, chills, and other infection-related symptoms, as well as excessive exhaustion or weakness, are all markers of atypical health.

When used for a long time, zidovudine and lamivudine can lead to muscular problems. Inform your doctor if you suffer from, or have ever suffered from, any muscular diseases or weakened muscles. Call your doctor as soon as you suffer muscle discomfort or weakness.

Lactic acidosis, a potentially fatal disease, and potentially life-threatening liver damage are two possible side effects of lamivudine and zidovudine (buildup of lactic acid in the blood). If you have liver illness now or ever had it, let your doctor know. Your doctor would probably advise against taking zidovudine and lamivudine if you have liver illness. Immediately call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you encounter any of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, pain in the upper right part of your stomach, loss of appetite, extreme exhaustion, unusual bleeding or bruising, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fast or irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, dark yellow or brown urine, light-colored bowel movements, yellowing of the skin or eyes, feeling cold, especially in the arms or legs, or muscle pain that is different from any muscle pain you typically experience.

If you have hepatitis B virus infection or suspect that you may have it, let your doctor know (HBV; an ongoing liver infection). Prior to starting your lamivudine and zidovudine treatment, your doctor may do a test to determine whether you have HBV. If you have HBV and take zidovudine and lamivudine, your health could abruptly get worse if you stop taking them. For several months after you stop taking lamivudine, your doctor will check on you and place lab test orders to see if your HBV has gotten worse.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To monitor your body’s reaction to lamivudine and zidovudine, your doctor will prescribe specific lab tests both during and after your therapy.

In addition to other drugs, lamivudine and zidovudine are used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The drugs zidovudine and lamivudine belong to are known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). They function by lowering the level of HIV in the blood. Although the combination of lamivudine and zidovudine does not cure HIV, it may lessen your risk of contracting AIDS and other HIV-related diseases including cancer or serious infections. The risk of transmitting (spreading) the HIV virus to others may be reduced by taking these medications, engaging in safer sexual behaviour, and changing other aspects of one’s lifestyle.

Lamivudine and zidovudine are combined in a tablet form that must be swallowed. Typically, it is taken twice daily, with or without food. Zidovudine and lamivudine should be taken at roughly the same times each day. Pay close attention to the instructions on your prescription label, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to clarify any information you are unsure of. Follow the directions on the prescription exactly. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Zidovudine and lamivudine manage HIV infection, but they do not treat it. Even if you feel better, keep taking zidovudine and lamivudine. Stop using lamivudine and zidovudine only after consulting your doctor. Get extra lamivudine and zidovudine from your doctor or pharmacy if you run out of those medications. Missing doses or stopping the use of lamivudine and zidovudine could make treating your disease more challenging.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking lamivudine and zidovudine,

• Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have any allergies to zidovudine (Retrovir), lamivudine (Epivir, Epivir HBV, and other brands), other drugs, or any of the chemicals in lamivudine and zidovudine tablets. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your physician and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Incorporate any of the following: rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater), atovaquone (Malarone, Mepron), several cancer drugs like doxorubicin (Doxil), fluconazole (Diflucan), ganciclovir (Cytovene, Valcyte), interferon alpha, methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), and others, as well as stavudi (Zerit). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects. Lamivudine and zidovudine may also interact with a variety of other drugs, so it’s important to let your doctor know about everything you’re taking—even drugs that aren’t on this list.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have previously had renal illness as well as the conditions indicated in the IMPORTANT CAUTION section, such as pancreatitis (pancreatic swelling that does not go away).
• Inform your physician if you are nursing a baby, intend to get pregnant, or are already pregnant. Call your doctor if you conceive while taking zidovudine and lamivudine. If you have HIV or are taking lamivudine or zidovudine, you should not breastfeed.
• You need to be aware that your body fat may expand or shift to several regions, including your upper back, neck (the “buffalo hump”), breasts, and the area surrounding your abdomen. Your face, legs, and arms may show a reduction of body fat.
• You should be aware that when you take HIV medicine, your immune system could become stronger and start to fight other infections that were already present in your body. You might begin to exhibit signs of those infections as a result of this. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any new or worsening symptoms while receiving lamivudine and zidovudine medication.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missed dose, do not take a second one.

Lamivudine with zidovudine may induce negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Difficulty Sleeping or remaining asleep
• Depression
• Blocked nose
• Cough
• Joints hurt

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. While it’s unlikely that you’ll have any of the negative effects listed below or those in the IMPORTANT CAUTION section, call your doctor right once if you do:

• Hives
• Rash
• Itching
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Your fingers or toes feeling numb, tingly, or burning
• Fever
• Wheezing

Zidovudine with lamivudine may result in additional adverse effects. If you experience any odd issues while taking zidovudine and lamivudine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep the pills free from excess heat and moisture by storing them in the refrigerator or at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

• Headache
• Vomiting
• Extreme fatigue

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

Zidovudine and lamivudine should always be available. Do not put off getting a refill on your prescription until you are out of medicine.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information on you in case of emergencies.