Duovir-E Kit Tablet belongs to the class of medications called ‘antiretroviral agents’ used to treat HIV infection. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune cells of the body leading to decreased immunity. It spreads through body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid and blood. Symptoms include fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, tiredness, and sore throat that usually last for days to several weeks.

Duovir-E Kit Tablet is a combination of three medicines: Efavirenz, zidovudine, and lamivudine. These drugs belong to a group of medicines called nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors. They work by inhibiting the reverse transcriptase enzyme from working, which is required by the HIV-infected cells to make new viruses. This effect helps to inhibit viral replication.

You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Duovir-E Kit Tablet may cause side effects such as headache, tiredness, dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, nightmare, muscle damage, and anemia (low number of red blood cells). Inform your doctor if any of these side effects persist or get worse.

It is not recommended to take Duovir-E Kit Tablet if you are allergic to any contents of it. Before taking Duovir-E Kit Tablet, inform your doctor if you have any liver disease, hepatitis B or C (liver infections), a history of mental illness, or are seriously overweight and have kidney disease. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Duovir-E Kit Tablet should not be given to children below 2 years of age. Duovir-E Kit Tablet should be used with caution in elderly patients. Alcohol consumption may increase the risk of side effects. Duovir-E Kit Tablet may cause dizziness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.

Duovir-E Kit Tablet belongs to the group of medicines called antiretroviral therapy (ART). Duovir-E Kit Tablet contains efavirenz, zidovudine and lamivudine. These drugs belong to a group of medicines called nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors. They work by inhibiting the reverse transcriptase enzyme from working, which is required by the HIV-infected cells to make new viruses. Thereby preventing viral replication and controlling the infection. It helps in improving the quality of life of a patient with HIV.

• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Insomnia
• Muscle damage
• Anemia

Inform your doctor if you develop persistent diarrhea or vomiting, as it may affect the effectiveness of Duovir-E Kit Tablet. Duovir-E Kit Tablet may cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), so inform your doctor if you develop symptoms such as nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, or stomach pain. Duovir-E Kit Tablet may lead to opportunistic infections (infections that occur frequently or severely in patients with weak immune systems), so inform your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of infection such as muscle weakness, weakness beginning in the hands and feet that progress towards the trunk, palpitations (pounding heartbeat), and tremors. Duovir-E Kit Tablet may destroy bone leading to symptoms such as joint stiffness or pain. It may also cause muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. Duovir-E Kit Tablet may also cause dizziness and abnormal heartbeat. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any significant changes in the electrocardiogram (ECG). Do not take Duovir-E Kit Tablet if you have severe liver disease, a slow heartbeat, or severe heart disease, a very low red blood cell count (anemia) or a very low white blood cell count (neutropenia). Speak with your doctor about the precautions to follow to avoid infecting other people as one can still pass on HIV while on this medicine, although the risk is somewhat lowered by antiretroviral therapy; it can spread through sexual contact with a person who already has the infection, or by transfer of infected blood. Duovir-E Kit Tablet does not cure HIV infection. Duovir-E Kit Tablet can make hormonal contraceptives less effective or less likely to work. So, use other effective methods for contraception, including a barrier form (cervical cap, condom, diaphragm, or contraceptive sponge) to prevent pregnancy while on Duovir-E Kit Tablet and for at least 12 weeks after stopping treatment as advised by your doctor. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine. Also, do not take Duovir-E Kit Tablet with other medicines such as stavudine, used to treat HIV infection, ribavirin or ganciclovir to treat viral infections, rifampicin to treat bacterial infections, bepridil (used to treat heart disease), cisapride (used to treat heartburn), methadone (used to treat opiate addiction), St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) (a herbal remedy used for depression and anxiety), flecainide, metoprolol (used to treat irregular heartbeat). Duovir-E Kit Tablet is not recommended in pregnancy as could harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects. You may need frequent medical tests while on Duovir-E Kit Tablet.

Drug-Drug Interactions:  Doxorubicin (medicine for cancer), ribavirin (used to treat chronic hepatitis C), stavudine(medication used to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS), emtricitabine (used to treat HIV infection), cladribine (used to treat hairy cell leukemia), bepridil (used to treat heart disease), cisapride (used to treat heartburn), methadone (used to treat opiate addiction), clomipramine (used to treat certain mental conditions).

Drug-Food Interactions: Duovir-E Kit Tablet may have interaction with St.John’s wort (herbal supplement used to treat depression). Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption while on this medication.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Duovir-E Kit Tablet should not be used in patients with liver disease, hepatitis B or C (liver infections), mental illness or psychosis, heart disease.

• DOXORUBICIN
• RIBAVIRIN
• STAVUDINE
• CLADRIBINE
• BEPRIDIL
• CISAPRIDE
• METHADONE
• CLOMIPRAMINE
• EMTRICITABINE

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Eat vitamin and nutrient-rich food such as dark green, yellow, orange and red vegetables, and fruit as it helps to boost your immune system. Option for lean protein and whole grains.
• Avoid eating raw meat and eggs. Consume properly boiled and cooked meat, poultry, or seafood.
• Eat bland and low-fat foods and avoid spicy or oily foods if you experience nausea or vomiting.
• Try to reduce emotional and physical stress by spending time with family or whatever makes you happy.
• Drink more fluids and avoid alcoholic beverages to prevent dehydration. 
• Wash your hands properly before and after eating.
• Make sure you sleep at least 8 hours a day.

• Duovir-E Kit Tablet may still develop infections or other illnesses associated with HIV infection or AIDS. So, people taking Duovir-E Kit Tablet should be carefully monitored throughout the treatment.
• You can still infect other people while taking Duovir-E Kit Tablet. So, use necessary precautions to avoid infecting others.
• Duovir-E Kit Tablet may cause abnormal liver function tests. So, regular monitoring of liver function is necessary while taking this medicine.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, making the individual susceptible to other infections or illnesses. People with HIV experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, tiredness, and sore throat. These symptoms usually last for days to several weeks. It spreads through body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid and blood. If left untreated, this condition can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). It is a life-long condition and there is no definite cure for it.  However, it can be controlled by treating with antiretroviral agents.