Duovir-N, Lamivudine/ Zidovudine/ Nevirapine

Name: Duovir-N, Lamivudine/ Zidovudine/ Nevirapine
Brand: Duovir-N
SKU: 170

Duovir-N (Lamivudine/Zidovudine/Nevirapine) is prescribed to help treat HIV infection.

US Brand Name

Duovir-N

Generic Name

Lamivudine/ Zidovudine/ Nevirapine

Other Brand Name

Duovir-N

Packing

Manufacturer

Cipla

Form

Tablet

Strength

Lamivudine 150 mg / Zidovudine 300 mg / Nevirapine 200 mg

Country

Lamivudine 150 mg / Zidovudine 300 mg / Nevirapine　200 mg 30 tablets USD $35.00

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

Nevirapine

Uses

Nevirapine is used in the treatment to suppress the HIV virus and preventing it from infecting the immune system in the body

How it Works

Nevirapine is not recomended to be used on its own, this is because that the virus can become rapidly resistant to treatment if monotherapy is used. Nevirapine as a NNRTI (non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor) blocks the activity of the reverse transcriptase (RT) viral enzyme by biding to the NNRTI pocket on the enzyme. this directly interferes with the enzymes ability to replicate the HIV virus DNA material thus slowing down the virus from spreading. Nevirapine helps kepping the level of HIV virus as low as possible which minimizes the chance of developing AIDS in patients

Common Side effects

Patients who take Nevirapine may suffer from such side effects;

Rash,
Headache,
Stiff muscles,
Decrease in granulocyte count,
Vomiting,
Allergic reaction,
Nausea,
Abdominal pain,
Fatigue,
Fever,
Increased liver enzymes,
Diarrhoea

Introduction

Duovir-N is a drug that is used in the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in adults. It is a combination of three drugs, which are nevirapine, lamivudine, and zidovudine. This tablet is prescribed to patients who have responded well to other HIV medication. It inhibits the regeneration of HIV and increases the immune cells in the body. It improves the patient's condition substantially but does not totally cure the HIV infection as till date, there is no such drug that is able to do so.

Use

This tablet is used in the treatment of HIV infection. It is only prescribed after the patient has responded positively to the nevirapine drug. Generally, the HIV present in the patient's body destroys the immune cells, which are commonly known as CD4+ cells. These cells are responsible for providing immunity in the body. This tablet helps in the generation of CD4+ cells. This tablet also helps prevent and control HIV growth in the body.

Dosage and administration

Any patient suffering from HIV infection is first stabilized by taking nevirapine 200 mg capsules regularly as prescribed by the doctor. Usually, the capsules are to be taken three times a day. If the patient shows tolerance to the capsules, the doctor may then decide to prescribe this drug, which is to be taken three times a day as well for adults. Take the tablets exactly as prescribed by the doctor and do not take more than what has been prescribed as overdosing may lead to fatality. The patient is to be monitored regularly by the doctor when taking this medication at the initial stage.

Warning

As this medicine is used in the treatment of HIV, only take this medicine if the doctor has prescribed it to you and the prescription must be followed thoroughly.
Consult the doctor and stop taking this medicine immediately if you experience any allergic reactions while taking this medicine. The doctor will then recommend the next course of action.
Avoid taking this medicine in case of low red blood cell count or white blood cell count.
If you suffer from any liver ailments, inform the doctor before being prescribed this medication.
Avoid taking the medicine if you suffer from any kidney disease.
Always consult a physician if you experience any kind of inflammation, whitening or pale skin, or any skin disease while on this medication.

Side effects

There are several common side effects with the use of the Duovir-N tablets. They are enumerated below,

Severe abdominal pain.
Difficulty in breathing.
Loss of appetite.
Weight loss.
Diarrhoea.
Nausea, dizziness, and vomiting.
Liver enlargement.
May also cause pancreatitis.