Overview

Combivir was a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as treatment for HIV-1 infection in combination with other antiretroviral medications. Combivir was a combination drug composed of lamivudine and zidovudine.

Lamivudine and Zidovudine are both antiretroviral medications of the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) class. These drugs are believed to work by preventing HIV from replicating in cells.

How was it taken?

Prescribing information stated that Combivir was taken twice daily. Combivir came in tablet form.

Side effects

The FDA-approved label for Combivir listed common side effects including headache, fatigue, malaise, cough, nausea, diarrhea, nasal symptoms, and changes in the shape or location of body fat. 

Rare but serious side effects listed for Combivir included blood disorders, pancreatitis, lactic acidosis (a metabolic disorder), hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) with steatosis (fatty degeneration), other liver problems, severe exacerbation of Hepatitis B, and immune reconstitution syndrome.

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Label: Combivir — Lamivudine and Zidovudine Tablet, Film Coated — DailyMed