Duovir Tablets – Product Information
Duovir, a combination of Lamivudine 150mg and Zidovudine 300mg is used, in combination with other agents, for the treatment of HIV infection.
We also stock Lamivir- HBV tablets (Generic Lamivudine tablets) which are indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B associated with evidence of hepatitis B viral replication and active liver inflammation.
Name of Drug
Duovir Tablets: We supply Duovir manufactured by Cipla Ltd. (A combination of Lamivudine 150mg and Zidovudine 300mg)
Manufacturer Of Duovir Tablets
Cipla Ltd.
Website: www.cipla.com
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient
The active pharmaceutical ingredients contained in Duovir Tablets are Lamivudine 150mg and Zidovudine 300mg.
What is Duovir Used For
Duovir Tablets are used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) as part of a combination therapy. This medication is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Duovir may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Duovir Tablets – Dosage
Duovir Tablets should not be prescribed for patients weighing less than 30 kg. Adults and Adolescents (at least 12 years of age) weighing >30 kg: 1 tablet twice daily. Duovir can be taken with or without food .
Drug Class and Mechanism
Duovir is an oral drug that is a combination of lamivudine (Epivir) and zidovudine (Retrovir). It is used for the treatment of infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Lamivudine and zidovudine are in a class of drugs called reverse transcriptase inhibitors that also includes zalcitabine (Hivid) and didanosine (Videx).
During infection with HIV, the HIV virus multiplies within the body’s cells. The newly-formed viruses are released from the cells and then spread throughout the body where they infect other cells. In this manner, the infection continually spreads to new, uninfected cells that the body is continually producing, and HIV infection is perpetuated. When producing new viruses, the HIV virus must manufacture new DNA for each virus. Reverse transcriptase is the enzyme that the virus uses to form this new DNA. Lamivudine and zidovudine block the activity of reverse transcriptase and block the production of DNA and new viruses. (Specifically, lamivudine is converted within the body to its active form, lamivudine triphosphate, and zidovudine is converted to its active form, zidovudine triphosphate. The active forms are similar to the naturally occurring deoxycytidine triphosphate and thymidine triphosphate, respectively, chemicals that are used by reverse transcriptase to make DNA. The reverse transcriptase uses lamivudine triphosphate and zidovudine triphosphate instead of the naturally-occurring deoxycytidine triphosphate and thymidine triphosphate for making DNA, and these active forms of the drugs interfere with the activity of reverse transcriptase.)
The effectiveness of either lamivudine or zidovudine when used alone may decrease as the HIV virus develops resistance to the effects of the individual drugs. By combining lamivudine and zidovudine, it is more difficult for the HIV virus to develop resistance to therapy since it must develop resistance to both drugs. As a result, Duovir is more effective than lamivudine or zidovudine alone. Duovir does not kill existing HIV virus, and it is not a cure for HIV. Duovir was approved by the FDA in September, 1997.
Storage Instructions for Duovir Tablets
Store Duovir Tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Warnings and Precautions to be taken when using Duovir Tablets
Before using Duovir Tablets please inform your doctor all the medicines that you take including no prescription medications, over the counter medicines and herbal remedies. Drug Interactions: Fluconazole (Diflucan), probenecid, trimethoprim (Trimpex) and valproic acid (Depakote) reduce the elimination of zidovudine and therefore increase the blood concentration of zidovudine. This can lead to increased side effects from zidovudine.
Pregnancy: Use of Duovir during pregnancy has not been adequately evaluated.
Nursing Mothers: Use of Duovir by nursing mothers has not been studied. HIV infected mothers should not breast feed because of the potential risk of transmitting HIV to an infant that is not infected.
Duovir is a fixed dose product, and therefore should not be prescribed for patients weighing less than 30 kg or patients requiring dosage adjustment, such as those with renal or hepatic impairment, or patients experiencing dose limiting adverse reactions.
Contraindications of Duovir Tablets (Combination of Lamivudine 150 mg and Zidovudine 300 mg)
Duovir Tablets are contraindicated in patients that have hypersensitivity (eg, anaphylaxis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome) to any of the components of the medication.
Side Effects of Duovir Tablets
The most serious side effects of Duovir (Combination of Lamivudine 150 mg and Zidovudine 300 mg) are:
- A decrease in blood cells, muscle pain (myopathy) or muscle breakdown ( rhabdomyolysis), liver enlargement and metabolic disturbance (lactic acidosis).
Other side effects of Duovir Tablets ( Duovir) include chills, rash, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, headache, cough and insomnia. Accumulation or redistribution of fat may also occur.
Buy Duovir Online at a Low Price
You can buy Duovir Tablets (Combination of Lamivudine 150 mg and Zidovudine 300 mg) at a low price online from the Swiss Pharmacy. Duovir Tablets are priced at only $1.85 per unit if you place an order for 240 tablets.