contains the active ingredient lamivudine and zidovudine
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION
What is in this leaflet
Please read this leaflet carefully before you start LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm.This leaflet answers some common questions about LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm.
It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm against the benefits they expect it will have on you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm is used for
LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm contains lamivudine and zidovudine which belongs to a group of medicines called antiretrovirals.
Please note that lamivudine is available as a stand alone tablet (as LAMIVUDINE Alphapharm lamivudine 150mg & 300mg tablets).
Lamivudine with zidovudine is used alone or with other antiretrovirals, to slow down the progressing of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other related illnesses (eg, AIDS-related Complex or ARC).
Lamivudine with zidovudine does not cure AIDS or HIV infection, but slows production of human immunodeficiency virus. In this way it stops ongoing damage to the body's immune system, which fights infection.
Lamivudine with zidovudine does not reduce the risk of passing HIV infection to others. You will still be able to pass on the HIV virus by sexual activity or by passing on blood or bodily secretions which carry the HIV virus. You should still use proper precautions.
While taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm and/or any other therapy for HIV disease, you may continue to develop other infections and other complications of HIV infection. You should keep in regular contact with the doctor.The long-term risks and benefits of taking lamivudine / zidovudine combination tablets are not known.
Your doctor may have prescribed LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why it has been prescribed for you.
LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm is not addictive.
Before you take LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm
When you must not take them
Do not take LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm if you have an allergy to:
any medicine containing lamivudine
any medicine containing zidovudine or
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may be mild or severe. They usually include some or all of the following: wheezing, swelling of the lips/mouth, difficulty in breathing, hay fever, lumpy rash ("hives") or fainting.
Do not take LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless your doctor says you should.
Your doctor should discuss with you the risks and benefits of using LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
Do not take LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm if you have.
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Reduced red blood cell count (anaemia),
Reduced white blood cell count (neutropenia).
If you have certain conditions, you doctor may advise that you take a lower dose of lamivudine and/or zidovudine, the active ingredients in LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm.
Lamivudine and zidovudine are available as separate dosage forms. Ask your doctor if you are not sure whether you should take LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm.
Do not take LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
If you take them after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
Do not take LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If you're not sure whether you should be taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take them
You must tell your doctor if:
you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
You are taking or have taken any other medicines.
You have, or have ever had, hepatitis B infection.
You have, or ever had, liver problems.
When you stop taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm
If you have a long-standing viral infection of your liver (hepatitis B) it may flare up. This can cause serious illness particularly if your liver is already not working very well. If you have both HIV and hepatitis B, when you stop taking your LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm, your doctor is likely to arrange tests from time to time to check how well your liver is working and to measure virus levels.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
If you take ribavirin and LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm together it may cause or worsen anaemia. Please contact your doctor if you notice symptoms of anaemia (such as tiredness and shortness of breath). Your doctor will advise you whether you should stop taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm.
There is little information about the way other medicines might affect the way LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm works, or how LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm affects other medicines. Particular care is needed when taking the painkiller, paracetamol.
Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you what to do when taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm with other medicines.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the medicines below:
Ribavirin, paracetamol
Phenytoin, oxazepam, lorazepam.
Aspirin, codeine, morphine, methadone, rifampicin, indomethacin, ketoprofen, naproxen, cimetidine, clofibrate, probenecid.
Pentamidine, pyrimethamine, dapsone, atovaquone, amphotericin, flucytosine, ganciclovir, interferon, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, clarithromycin.
Vincristine, vinblastine and doxorubicin.
Aciclovir, inosine pranobex, adriamycin, ciprofloxacin
Stavudine, zalcitabine or emtricibine
Sorbitol-containing medicines (usually liquids) used regularly.
LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm should not be taken with stavudine or zalcitabine
Use in children
LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age. Because it is a fixed dose combination tablet it cannot be adjusted according to the size and weight of the patient.
How to take LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm
Your doctor will tell you have many LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm to take and how often to take them. You will also find this information on the label or your medicine.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
The usual dosage of LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm is one tablet twice a day.
How to take them
Swallow the LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm whole with a full glass of water. Do not divide.
When to take them
Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you when you should take your LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm tablets.
How long to take them
Because your medicine helps to control your condition, but does not cure it, you will need to take the tablets every day. Do not stop taking your medicine without first talking to your doctor.
If you forget to take them
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking it as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.
If you are not sure what to do contact your doctor or pharmacist
While you are using LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm
Things you must do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm.
There is little information about the way other medicines might affect the way that LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm works. You must tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm before you start taking medicines you buy from a pharmacy, health food shop or supermarket. This is especially important regarding medicines which might have an effect on the kidneys, liver, red or white blood cells or other body cells.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or are trying to become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as prescribed.
Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.
Things you must not do
Do not stop taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm or change the dosage without checking with your doctor.
Do not give LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not take LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give this medicine to children under 12 years of age. Because it is a fixed dose combination tablet it cannot be adjusted according to the size and weight of the patient.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm affects you.
LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm taken alone generally do not cause any problems with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, as with many other medicines, LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm may cause headache and tiredness in some people.
Side effects
Check with your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm , even if you think that the problems are not connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.
Like all medicines, LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm can cause some side effects. If they occur, they are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
The most serious side effects include:
Reduced red blood cell count (anaemia).
Reduced white blood cell count (neutropenia).
The frequency and severity of anaemia and neutropenia are greater in patients with advanced HIV disease, or in patients who start taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm in the later stages of HIV disease.
While you are taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm , it is very important that your doctor keeps a close check on your health and takes blood samples to monitor levels of red and white blood cells. If you develop anaemia or neutropenia, your doctor may reduce or stop the dose of LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm , or recommend standard treatment for these conditions. As your doctor any questions which you may have.
It is not known whether many of these side effects are due to taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm or taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm while taking other medicines. Some of these symptoms may occur as part of HIV infection, AIDS and AIDS-related Complex.
The side effects listed below have been reported:
Body odour, sweating, chills, swelling of lips and/or tongue, flu-like symptoms, fever, increased sensitivity to pain, back pain, enlarged glands, chest pain, weakness, weight loss, generally feeling unwell, breast enlargement in male patients.
Widening of blood vessels, possibly leading to low blood pressure or feeling faint.
Constipation, difficulty in swallowing, gas from stomach or bowel, diarrhoea, bleeding gums or nose, blood in stools, mouth ulcers, heartburn, vomiting, loss or reduction in appetite, nausea.
Abdominal discomfort or pain.
Muscle aches or pains, muscle shaking or spasm or twitching, muscle disease.
Enlarged fatty liver, abnormal results of blood tests of liver function, inflammation of the pancreas.
Confusion, depression, nervousness, fainting, loss of mental clarity, dizziness, seizures, severe headache, sleeplessness, fatigue/tiredness.
Cough, sore throat, hay fever, sinus problems, hoarseness, change to perception of taste.
Acne, itchiness, skin rash, changes in nail, skin or mouth colour.
Vision problems, hearing loss, sensitivity to light.
Passing too much urine, pain, difficulty or increased frequency of passing urine.
Reduction in all blood cells.
Increased bruising or bleeding.
Blood chemistry changes, with excess acidity of the blood.
Unusual feelings in any part of the body, such as numbness, burning, tingling or pins and needles.
Hair loss.
Changes in fat distribution have been reported in association with combination antiretroviral therapy. These may include:
Loss of body fat from areas such as legs, arms and face.
Increased fat appearing in areas such as abdomen (belly) and other internal organs, breasts and the back of the neck.
Within the first few weeks of treatment with anti-HIV medicines, some people, particularly those that have been HIV positive for some time, may development inflammatory reactions (eg, pain, redness, swelling, high temperature) which may resemble an infection and may be severe. It is thought that these reactions are caused by a recovery in the body's ability to fight infections, previously suppressed by HIV. If you become concerned about any of the new symptoms, or any changes in your health after starting HIV treatment, please discuss with your doctor immediately.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have. If you experience any of these side effects, and they concern you, see your doctor or pharmacist.
If you think you are having an allergic reaction to LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm , TELL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY or go to the nearest Accident and Emergency department at your nearest hospital. Symptoms usually include some or all of the following:
Wheezing
Swelling of the lips/mouth
Difficulty in breathing
Hay fever
Lumpy rash ("hives")
Fainting
If you have any of the following symptoms soon after starting to take your medicine, DO NOT TAKE ANY MORE LAMIVUDINE 150MG + ZIDOVUDINE 300MG ALPHAPHARM and tell your doctor IMMEDIATELY or go to the nearest accident and emergency department at your nearest hospital:
Severe stomach pain or cramps.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
These side effects may be due to a condition called pancreatitis.
If you are on medication for HIV and become very sick, with fast breathing, stop taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm and consult your doctor immediately. You may have a condition known as "lactic acidosis". The fast breathing is due to high acid levels in the blood. Your liver may not be working properly and gets big and fatty. This can be life threatening. This illness occurs more often in women than men.
See your doctor if you feel generally unwell with a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, itching, yellowness of the skin or eyes or dark coloured urine, or if the blood tests of your liver function are abnormal. It is likely you will have to stop taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm.
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side effects not yet known.
Side effects may depend on whether you take LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm alone, or also have taken other antiretroviral medication(s). Less is known about possible side effects of taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm with other antiretrovirals.
Tell your doctor if you notice any else that is making you feel unwell, even if it is on this list.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand anything in this list.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
After using LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm
Storage
Keep this medicine where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Do not store LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep your tablets in the bottle until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the bottle they may not keep well.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets left over.
Product description
What it looks like
LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm is a white to off-white, capsule shaped, biconvex film coated tablet, debossed with "M" on left of the scoreline and "103" on right, on one side and scored on the other side.
LAMIVUDINE 150mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300mg Alphapharm is supplied in 60 tablet bottles.
Ingredients
LAMIVUDINE 150 mg + ZIDOVUDINE 300 mg Alphapharm contains 150 mg of lamivudine and 300 mg of zidovudine as the active ingredient.
It also contains the following inactive ingredients:
Microcrystalline cellulose.
Sodium starch glycollate type A.
Magnesium stearate.
Colloidal anhydrous silica.
Propylene glycol (film coating).
Opadry Complete Film Coating System 03H58736 White (Proprietary Ingredient Number 106640).
This medicine does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
