Epivir Hbv is an antiviral medication which used to fight infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the deadly cause of AIDS. Epivir prevents the cells from producing new virus and decreases the amount of virus in the body. This drug is also prescribed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection. Note that this medication must be used in combination with other HIV drugs.

Dosage and direction

Take it orally with or without food/milk at the same time each day. The Epivir dose normally used to treat hepatitis B for adults is one 100mg tablet once a day. The recommended dosage for treatment HIV is one 300mg tablet once daily or one 150mg tablet every 12 hours.

Children dosage depends on the weight of the child, and their ability to swallow pills. The liquid formulation should be given 4 mg per kilogram of body weight, up to a maximum of 150 milligrams twice daily.

Note: this instruction presented here just for review. It’s very necessary to consult with your doctor before using. It help you to get best results.

Precautions

Do not take it without doctor’s permission if your medical history include: kidney disease; liver disease; pancreatitis; problems with your muscles; or problems with your blood counts. Remember that this drug does not reduce the risk of passing the HIV or hepatitis B virus to others. Do not use alcohol because it may increase the risk of damage to the pancreas and/or liver. Epivir Hbv should not be used during pregnancy, becoming pregnant or lactating without doctor’s advice. Do not use Epivir Hbv before breast-feeding without doctor’s advice.

Contraindications

Epivir is not allowed in people who are hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the ingridients.

Possible side effect

They may include an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Also the most possible side effects include:

liver damage, stomach pain, clay-colored stools, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice; muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, nausea with vomiting, and fast or uneven heart rate; pancreatitis – severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate; peripheral neuropathy – numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet; easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, pale skin; white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; any other signs of new infection.

Less serious include:

cough; sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; joint or muscle pain;

dizziness, headache, tired feeling; changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk).

If you experience one of them stop using Epivir and tell your doctor as soon as possible. Also consult with your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual.

Drug interaction

Epivir interact with interferon-alfa (Roferon, Intron, Rebetron); trimethoprim (Bactrim, Proloprim, Septra, Trimpex); or ribavirin (Rebetol, Ribasphere, Copegus Virazole). Also note that interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. As usual it affects the the effect of drugs, so consult with your doctor about how it interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Missed dose

If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Take your usually dose next day in the same regularly time.

Overdose

Symptoms of Epivir overdose are not known. So if you experience any unusual symptom call your doctor immediately.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture, kids and pets. Do not use after expiration term.

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Retrovir is an anti-HIV-1 medication. It contains active substance zidovudine which is a reverse transcriptase inhibitor. This class of medications also includes zalcitabine (Hivid), didanosine (Videx), and lamivudine (Epivir), stavudine (Zerit). Retrovir increases production of T4 cells and hereby increases resistance to infection. Its ability to inhibit reverse transcriptase of HIV is 100-300 times bigger than its ability to inhibit human DNA polymerase. Retrovir is produced to treat HIV infection in adults and children over 3 months of age with symptoms of the diseases or ones with no symptoms but a significant evidence of impaired immunity.

Dosage and direction

The recommended dose for adults is 100 mg taken every for hours. Optimal dose is 0.5-1.5 g a day. Blood cell count should be monitored on a regular basis and treatment should be interrupted if level of Hb decreases 25% and one of neutrophils does 50% from the initial level. In children under 12 years of age initial dose is counted as 180 mg per every square meter each 6 hours but not more than 200 mg every 6 hours. To prevent HIV transmission to the baby from the mother 100 mg of Retrovir is given five times daily until the time of labor starting from 14th week of pregnancy.

Precautions

Risk of an enlarged liver and lactic acidosis increases during treatment with Retrovir especially overweight patients and those whose treatment continued for a rather extended period. If such condition develops treatment with Retrovir should be discontinued. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience such symptoms as fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, feeling of unwellness. Cautiousness should be exercised in patients with a bone marrow disease or reduced amount of T-helpers, reduced bone marrow reserve prior to treatment, neutropenia, anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency. Drugs for HIV may cause a redistribution of body fat: (a “buffalo hump” on the back, extra fat around the middle, and wasting in the arms, legs, and face).

Contraindications

Retrovir cannot be used in individuals with hypersensitivity to the medication, anemia.

Possible side effect

The most serious side effects include a decrease in blood cells, myopathy, enlarged liver and lactic acidosis. Other adverse reactions are: fatigue, headache, asthenia, drowsiness, pain in the heart, stomach, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, gas, depression, fever symptoms, cough, secondary infection. Only your doctor is able to decide if it is safe for you to take Retrovir. Check with your doctor if the symptoms listed above become bothersome or change in intensity.

Drug interaction

Paracetamol inhibits metabolism of Retrovir and this way increases a risk of neutropenia. Retrovir plasma levels are inhibited by inhibitors of microsomal oxidation in the liver such as morphine, codeine, indomethacin, oxazepam, cimetidine, klofibrat. Pentamidine, amphotericin B, ganciclovir, vincristine, vinblastine, radiation therapy increase toxic effects of Retrovir. Retrovir increases blood concentration of fluconazole. Ribavirin inhibits biochemical activation of Retrovir in the body and not recommended for concomitant therapy. Stavudine, Combivir or Trizivir cannot be used together with Retrovir.

Missed dose

Never take a double dose of this medication. If it is almost time of the next dose just skip the missed portion and continue to take the medicine according to the schedule.

Overdose

Any medication taken in the excessive quantity maybe dangerous. If you suspect overdose and experience fatigue, nausea, headache, vomiting seek immediate medical attention.

Storage

Retrovir should be stored at room temperature between 15-30 C (59-86 F).

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

The recommended dose for adults is 600 mg taken once daily. The daily dose for children with weight of 13-15 kg is 200 mg, for ones with 5-20 kg is 250 mg, for ones with 20-25 kg is 300 mg, for ones with 25?32,5 kg is 350 mg, for ones with 32,5?40 kg is 400 mg. Individuals with body weight over 40 kg should take 600 mg of Sustiva. First two weeks take the medication before your bedtime.

Precautions

Inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney failure, alcohol or drug addicted, encephalopathy, high cholesterol or triglycerides, liver disease (including hepatitis B or C), if you have ever taken delavirdine (Rescriptor) or nevirapine (Viramune) without any therapeutic result. Cautiousness should be exercised in children under 3 years of age, and children with body weight under 13 kg. Use reliable contraception while you are on Sustiva as this medication may cause serious harm to an unborn baby.

Contraindications

This medication cannot be used in the patients with hypersensitivity to it, breastfeeding and pregnant women.

Side effects

This medication may cause serious psychiatric symptoms which you should inform immediately to your doctor. These may include hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, severe depression, confusion, aggression, extreme fear, or unusual behavior.

Drug interaction

Sustiva decreases blood concentrations and effects of indinavir (Crixivan) and saquinavir (Invirase). Concomitant use with alcohol may increase influence of Sustiva on the central nervous system. Co-administration with Astemizol and tsizaprid increases risk of arrhythmia. Sustiva also decreases blood concentration of hormonal contraceptives and Indinavir. If Sustiva is used together with Ritonavir it leads to increase in side effects of the drug and hepatotoxicity. Concomitant use of Sustiva with Clarithromycin or Saquinavir should be avoided. Midazolam (Versed) and triazolam (Halcion) increase sedative effects of the drug. Phenobarbital decreases blood concentrations of Sustiva. Co-administration with rifabutin, rifampin is not recommended.

Do not take Sustiva with pimozide (Orap), cisapride (Propulsid), or ergot medicines such as ergotamine (Cafergot, Wigraine, Ergomar), dihydroergotamine, ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine).

Missed dose

If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or time for your next dose is in a short while. Do not take double doses of this medication or extra doses of it. Take your usually dose next day in the same regularly time.

Overdose

Symptoms may include muscle twitching. In case of overdose seek urgent medical attention.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 20-25 C (68-77 F). Store away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. It is not recommended to store in a bathroom and places available for children.

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Combivir is a combination of lamivudine (Epivir) and zidovudine (Retrovir), both components are active against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and inhibit the activity of reverse transcriptase blocking the production of DNA and new viruses. Separately zidovudine and lamivudine may not be so effective as their combination which makes it more difficult for HIV to produce high resistant strains.

Dosage and direction

Adults and children under 12 years of age should take Combivir once daily. Take the drug about the same time each day to avoid missing a dose. Food does not change absorption of the medication.

Precautions

Combivir can affect the body’s acid balance. It also can be a reason to low blood cell counts (anemia). Inform your doctor if you have an existing shortage of blood cells or a disease of the bone marrow before to start treatment with Combivir. Aggravation of chronic liver disease hepatitis B is possible when treatment with Combivir is finished as its virus causative agent becomes resistant to lamivudine. Combivir sometimes causes muscle pain and inflammation, especially inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). If you have abdominal pain for several days, accompanied by nausea and vomiting yo should immediately check with your doctor. Drugs for HIV may cause a redistribution of body fat: (a “buffalo hump” on the back, extra fat around the middle, and wasting in the arms, legs, and face).

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to lamivudine or zidovudine. It cannot be used in people with low weigh (less than 110 pounds, or 50 kg). Children and patients with poor kidney or liver function who may require dose correction should not take tablets of Combivir as they contain fixed doses of amivudine or zidovudine.

Possible side effect

Serious side effects of Combivir are: decrease in blood cells, muscle breakdown, muscle pain (myopathy), liver enlargement and metabolic disturbance (lactic acidosis), allergy symptoms (rash, chills), nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss, headache, cough and insomnia.

Drug interaction

Inform your doctor if you are takeing fluconazole (Diflucan), probenecid, trimethoprim (Trimpex) and valproic acid (Depakote). These drugs reduce the elimination of zidovudine and may lead to its increased blood concentration.

Missed dose

Never take a double dose of this medication. If it is almost time of the next dose just skip the missed portion and continue to take the medicine according to the schedule.

Overdose

Any medication taken in excessive quantities may be dangerous. Notify your doctor immediately in case of a supposed overdose and experience dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, fatigue, weakness, nausea, seizure, vomiting.

Storage

Combivir should be stored at room temperature between 2-30?C (36-86 F).

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Epivir Hbv is an antiviral medication which used to fight infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the deadly cause of AIDS. Epivir prevents the cells from producing new virus and decreases the amount of virus in the body. This drug is also prescribed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection. Note that this medication must be used in combination with other HIV drugs.

Dosage and direction

Take it orally with or without food/milk at the same time each day. The Epivir dose normally used to treat hepatitis B for adults is one 100mg tablet once a day. The recommended dosage for treatment HIV is one 300mg tablet once daily or one 150mg tablet every 12 hours.

Children dosage depends on the weight of the child, and their ability to swallow pills. The liquid formulation should be given 4 mg per kilogram of body weight, up to a maximum of 150 milligrams twice daily.

Note: this instruction presented here just for review. It’s very necessary to consult with your doctor before using. It help you to get best results.

Precautions

Do not take it without doctor’s permission if your medical history include: kidney disease; liver disease; pancreatitis; problems with your muscles; or problems with your blood counts. Remember that this drug does not reduce the risk of passing the HIV or hepatitis B virus to others. Do not use alcohol because it may increase the risk of damage to the pancreas and/or liver. Epivir Hbv should not be used during pregnancy, becoming pregnant or lactating without doctor’s advice. Do not use Epivir Hbv before breast-feeding without doctor’s advice.

Contraindications

Epivir is not allowed in people who are hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the ingridients.

Possible side effect

They may include an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Also the most possible side effects include:

liver damage, stomach pain, clay-colored stools, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice; muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, nausea with vomiting, and fast or uneven heart rate; pancreatitis – severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate; peripheral neuropathy – numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet; easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, pale skin; white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; any other signs of new infection.

Less serious include:

cough; sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; joint or muscle pain;

dizziness, headache, tired feeling; changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk).

If you experience one of them stop using Epivir and tell your doctor as soon as possible. Also consult with your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual.

Drug interaction

Epivir interact with interferon-alfa (Roferon, Intron, Rebetron); trimethoprim (Bactrim, Proloprim, Septra, Trimpex); or ribavirin (Rebetol, Ribasphere, Copegus Virazole). Also note that interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. As usual it affects the the effect of drugs, so consult with your doctor about how it interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Missed dose

If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Take your usually dose next day in the same regularly time.

Overdose

Symptoms of Epivir overdose are not known. So if you experience any unusual symptom call your doctor immediately.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture, kids and pets. Do not use after expiration term.

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.