Drug reference
Lamivudine + Zidovudine
Antiretroviral
Also known as Combivir
Antiretroviral
CDSCO approvedSchedule H
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
—
none in our sources
PREGNANCY
—
not curated
Mechanism
Combivir is a fixed-dose combination of zidovudine and lamivudine, both nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). NRTIs are nucleoside analogues that, after intracellular phosphorylation, inhibit HIV reverse transcriptase, thereby blocking viral DNA synthesis and replication.
Indications
HIV infection in combination with other antiretroviral drugs
Dosing
- Adult
- 1 tablet twice daily
- Renal adjustment
- Avoid if eGFR less than 50 mL/minute/1.73 m2
Contraindications
- eGFR less than 50 mL/minute/1.73 m2
Side effects
Common
Alopeciaanaemiaangioedemaanxietyappetite abnormalarthralgiaastheniadiabetes mellitusdiarrhoeadizzinessdry mouthdyslipidaemiadyspnoeafevergastrointestinal discomfortgastrointestinal disordersheadachehepatic disordershypersensitivityhypertensionmalaisemuscle complaintsnauseaneutropeniaoral ulcerationpancreatitisperipheral neuropathyseizureskin reactionssleep disorderstaste alteredvomiting
Serious
- Drowsiness
- immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome
- osteonecrosis
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- weight increased
Related guidelines
Other Antiretroviral drugs
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Sources: BNF·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team