Duovir

Duovir is a tablet that contains a combination of two antiretroviral medications:

• Lamivudine (150mg): a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)
• Zidovudine (100mg): a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)

Mechanism of Action:

The combination of Lamivudine and Zidovudine works in the following way:

• Lamivudine and Zidovudine inhibit the activity of HIV reverse transcriptase, an enzyme necessary for the virus to replicate.

Uses:

Duovir is used to treat HIV infection in adults and adolescents. It is recommended for patients who have not previously received antiretroviral therapy or who have failed other antiretroviral regimens.

Dosage:

The recommended dosage of Duovir is one tablet twice daily, taken with food.

Side Effects:

Common side effects of Duovir include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Rash
• Abnormal dreams
• Increased blood lipids
• Neuropathy (nerve damage)
• Lactic acidosis (build-up of lactic acid in the blood)

Recommendation:

Duovir should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Patients should be monitored regularly for liver function tests, lipid profiles, and glucose levels.

Important Note:

• Duovir is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver disease (Child-Pugh C).
• Patients with pre-existing kidney disease should be monitored closely for signs of kidney damage or toxicity.
• Patients taking other medications, including antiretroviral agents, may be at risk for interactions with Duovir.
• The safety and efficacy of Duovir in pregnant or lactating women have not been established.
• Patients should be counseled on the importance of taking concomitant therapy as prescribed by their healthcare provider.
• Patients should be monitored for neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders.

Special Precautions:

• Duovir should be taken with food to improve absorption.
• Patients with diabetes should be monitored closely for changes in blood glucose levels.
• Patients with pre-existing kidney disease should be monitored closely for signs of kidney damage or toxicity.
• Patients with liver disease should be monitored closely for signs of liver damage or toxicity.
• Patients taking other medications that may interact with Duovir should be monitored closely for signs of toxicity or adverse effects.

Contraindications:

Duovir is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to any of its ingredients. It is also contraindicated in patients with severe liver disease (Child-Pugh C).

Clinical Trials:

Duovir has been studied in clinical trials in combination with other antiretroviral agents. The results of these trials have shown that Duovir is effective in suppressing HIV replication and improving patient outcomes.