lamivudine + zidovudine at a glance
Medicine class
Combination nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI).
Licensed use
HIV infection, as part of combination antiretroviral therapy.
Food
May be taken with or without food.
Key monitoring
Blood counts, treatment response and adverse effects require monitoring.
What is lamivudine + zidovudine used for?
It is licensed for:
HIV infection, as one component of combination antiretroviral therapy.
How does lamivudine + zidovudine work?
Inside cells, both ingredients are converted to active forms that inhibit reverse transcriptase and terminate the growing viral DNA chain, reducing HIV replication.
lamivudine + zidovudine preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 150 mg + 300 mg
How to take lamivudine + zidovudine
Take exactly as prescribed by the HIV team and remain in regular clinical contact. Do not stop without specialist advice.
Swallow the film-coated tablet with water, with or without food.
If swallowing is difficult, crush it into a small amount of semi-solid food or liquid and consume all of it immediately.
Check with a pharmacist before starting prescription, non-prescription or herbal products.
lamivudine + zidovudine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache or dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort or diarrhoea
- Tiredness, malaise or difficulty sleeping
- Muscle or joint pain
- Cough or nasal symptoms
- Rash or hair loss
- Anaemia, neutropenia or leucopenia
- Raised liver enzymes or bilirubin
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction with facial or throat swelling
- Blood-cell disorders causing pallor, breathlessness, infections, fever, bleeding or bruising
- Lactic acidosis
- Pancreatitis
- Significant liver injury
- Severe muscle pain or weakness suggesting muscle breakdown
- Loss of fat from the face, arms, legs or buttocks
lamivudine + zidovudine in pregnancy
Discuss pregnancy promptly with the specialist HIV and maternity teams; do not stop treatment independently. Substantial exposure data have not indicated malformative toxicity, but treatment must balance HIV control, prevention of transmission and medicine-specific risks. Exposed babies may require clinical follow-up.
lamivudine + zidovudine while breastfeeding
Both ingredients pass into breast milk, and HIV can be transmitted through breastfeeding. Formula feeding is considered safest because it removes postnatal HIV-transmission risk. UK guidance also supports specialist multidisciplinary discussion and close monitoring when someone with sustained viral suppression makes an informed choice to breastfeed.
lamivudine + zidovudine interactions
Important examples include:
Other lamivudine-containing products or emtricitabine
Avoid duplication because these provide the same or a closely related antiviral component.
Stavudine
Avoid because it can antagonise zidovudine's anti-HIV activity.
Ribavirin
Not recommended because the risk of anaemia is increased.
Cladribine
Not recommended because lamivudine may reduce its activation and effectiveness.
Common questions about lamivudine + zidovudine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does lamivudine + zidovudine cure HIV?
No. It suppresses HIV replication as part of combination treatment but does not eradicate the infection.
Can the tablets be crushed?
Yes. When necessary, crush them into a small amount of semi-solid food or liquid and consume it immediately.
Can I stop when I feel well?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.