Lamivudine and zidovudine combined in one pill. It may be marketed under the name Combivir, but generic versions are also available and these are more commonly used. It is taken in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.

You should not take lamivudine/zidovudine with the following drugs: clabribine; high doses of cotrimoxazole; emtricitabine; ganciclovir injections; other medicines containing lamivudine; ribavirin; rifampicin; stavudine.

There are other interactions, including with drugs used to treat epilepsy, malaria, cancer, gout, and infections and with methadone, used as a heroin substitute, so it is very important that you tell your doctor about other drugs you are taking.

Liver damage, severe anaemia, lactic acidosis (too much lactic acid in the blood).

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, tiredness, headache, dizziness, weakness, muscle pain, loss of appetite, fever, abdominal pain, hair loss, insomnia, rash, cough, runny nose, joint or muscle pain, fat loss, anaemia, low white blood cell count, raised liver enzymes.

Take with or without food.

Combination tablet of 150mg lamivudine and 300mg zidovudine. The usual adult dose is one tablet taken twice a day. It is available as a generic drug so appearances will vary.