Lamivudine and zidovudine are antiviral medications that prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body.

Lamivudine and zidovudine is a combination medicine used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Lamivudine and zidovudine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Lamivudine and zidovudine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to lamivudine. Do not take Combivir with any other medicine that contains lamivudine, zidovudine, or emtricitabine. This includes Atripla, Biktarvy, Cimduo, Combivir, Complera, Descovy, Emtriva, Epzicom, Genvoya, Odefsey, Retrovir, Stribild, Symfi, Triumeq, Trizivir, and Truvada.

Lamivudine and zidovudine can also cause severe or fatal liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, especially hepatitis B.

Lamivudine and zidovudine should not be used to treat HIV in adolescents weighing less than 66 pounds.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;
• pancreas disorder (especially in a child taking this medicine); or
• if you take ribavirin to treat hepatitis C.

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, if you've taken HIV medication for a long time, or if you are a woman. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, and use your medications properly to control your infection. HIV can be passed to your baby if the virus is not controlled during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on a registry to track any effects of antiviral medicine on the baby.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

Use Lamivudine And Zidovudine (Combivir) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Mild symptoms of lactic acidosis may worsen over time, and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have: unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, irregular heart rate, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• liver problems--swelling around your midsection, right-sided upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• low red blood cells (anemia)--pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet;
• low white blood cell counts--fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing; or
• pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting.

Lamivudine and zidovudine affects your immune system, which may cause certain side effects (even weeks or months after you've taken this medicine). Tell your doctor if you have:

• signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss;
• trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye movement, weakness or prickly feeling; or
• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence.

Common side effects may include:

• headache;
• nausea, diarrhea;
• tiredness, general ill feeling;
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sinus pain, cough; or
• loss of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, and buttocks).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Avoid taking other medications that contain an ingredient called sorbitol, often used as a sweetener in liquid medicines. Ask your pharmacist if you are not sure a medicine contains this ingredient.

Using this medicine will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.