Lamivudine
Uses
Lamivudine is used together with other anti-retroviral medicines in the treatment of HIV-1 infection and chronic hepatitis b virus (HBV) infection.
How it Works
Lamivudine is a nucleoside analogue, it works by destroying CD4 helper cells and stopping the HIV virus from spreading.It blocks the action of the Reverse Transcriptase enzyme which helps the virus replicate, this results in destroying the viral HIV chain
Common Side effects
Patients who take Lamivudine may suffer from such side effects;
Fatigue,
Headache,
Insomnia,
Dyspepsia,
Nausea,
Cramps and Abdominal pain,
Dizziness,
Ear and/or Nasal infection,
Sore throat,
Skin rash,
Muscle pain,
Fever,
Chills,
Diarrhoea
Zidovudine
Uses
Zidovudine is an anti-retroviral which is prescribed and used in treatments for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections.
How it Works
Zidovudine treats HIV infections by inhibiting viral reverse transcriptase and DNA polymerases. The HIV virus needs An enzyme called RT (reverse transcriptase) to replicate its DNA in order to spread and infect more cells. Zidovudine works by blocking the reverse transcriptase, this then helps to terminate the DNA chain and prevent the virus from multiplying. Zidovudine slows down the HIV Infection progress in the body but it is not a cure.
Common Side effects
Patients who take Zidovudine may suffer from such side effects;
Diarrhea,
Decreased appetite,
Headaches,
Sleep disruption,
Body fat abnormalities,
Digestive upset or discomfort