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Written By Bayyarapu Mahesh Kumar , M Pharmacy
Reviewed By Dr Aneela Siddabathuni , MPharma., PhD
Last Updated Dec 7, 2024 | 2:25 PM IST
Duovir Tablet is used to treat HIV infection. It contains Lamivudine and Zidovudine which work by preventing the virus from multiplying, thereby reducing viral load in the body. In some cases, this medicine may cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, headache, fatigue, cough, a feeling of discomfort, and stuffy nose. Inform the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking any other medication, or have any pre-existing medical conditions.
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Prescription drug

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Prescription drug
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Manufacturer/Marketer

Cipla Ltd

Consume Type

ORAL

Return Policy

Not Returnable

Expires on or after

Jan-27

for this medicine

About Duovir Tablet

Duovir Tablet belongs to the class of medicines called 'anti-retroviral agents', used for the treatment of immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). This medicine is not a cure for HIV. It only prevents the virus from multiplying in your body.

Duovir Tablet contains lamivudine and zidovudine. Duovir Tablet works by preventing HIV (virus) from multiplying, thereby reducing the amount of virus in your body. They also increase the CD4 cell (white blood cells that protect against infection) count in your blood.

Take Duovir Tablet as advised by your doctor. Duovir Tablet may cause common side effects like nausea, diarrhoea, headache, fatigue, cough, a feeling of discomfort, and nasal congestion (stuffy nose). Most of these side effects gradually resolve over time and do not require medical attention. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor immediately.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any of the components in Duovir Tablet . Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding. Let your doctor know if you have kidney, liver, or pancreatic disease. Please tell your doctor if you have a low red blood cell count (anaemia), low white blood cell count (neutropenia), osteonecrosis (death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply), or lactic acidosis.

Uses of Duovir Tablet

Treatment of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

Medicinal Benefits

Duovir Tablet contains a combination of two medicines, namely: lamivudine and zidovudine, that belong to the group of medications called anti-retroviral agents. Duovir Tablet is primarily used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Duovir Tablet works by preventing HIV (virus) from multiplying, thereby reducing the amount of virus in your body. They also increase the CD4 cell (white blood cells that protect against infection) count in your blood.

Directions for Use

Swallow Duovir Tablet as a whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush or break it.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

Side Effects of Duovir Tablet

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhoea
  • Stomach pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Tiredness
  • Lack of energy
  • Fever (high temperature)
  • Headache
  • Hair loss (alopecia)
  • Fatigue
  • Cough
  • Muscle pain and discomfort
  • Joint pain
  • Feeling of discomfort
  • Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
  • Irritated or runny nose

Drug Warnings

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any of the components in Duovir Tablet . Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding. Let your doctor know if you have kidney, liver, pancreatic, or bone marrow suppression. Please tell your doctor if you have a low red blood cell count (anaemia), low white blood cell count (neutropenia), osteonecrosis (death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply), lactic acidosis, or opportunistic infections. Duovir Tablet may cause muscle disorders, especially when used for a long period. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any disease of the muscles or muscle weakness. If you experience muscle pain or muscle weakness, call your doctor immediately.

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interaction: Duovir Tablet may interact with other antiretroviral (didanosine, efavirenz), antibiotic (atovaquone, clarithromycin, ganciclovir), anti-fungal (cotrimoxazole, fluconazole), anti-mycobacterial (rifampicin), anti-convulsants (phenobarbital, phenytoin, valproic acid), anti-histamines (ranitidine, cimetidine), cytotoxics (cladribine), opioids (methadone), uricosuric (probenecid), anti-cancer (methotrexate), anti-lipemic (atorvastatin, fenofibrate), anti-psychotic (clozapine).

Drug-Food Interaction: No interaction found/established. 

Drug-Disease Interaction: Before taking Duovir Tablet , let your doctor know if you have any kidney disease, liver disease, pancreatic disease, bone marrow suppression, low red blood cell count (anaemia), low white blood cell count (neutropenia), osteonecrosis (death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply), lactic acidosis or muscle disorders.

Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List

  • DIDANOSINE
  • EFAVIRENZ
  • ATOVAQUONE
  • CLARITHROMYCIN
  • GANCICLOVIR
  • COTRIMOXAZOLE
  • FLUCONAZOLE
  • RIFAMPICIN
  • PHENOBARBITAL
  • PHENYTOIN
  • VALPROIC ACID
  • RANITIDINE
  • CIMETIDINE
  • CLADRIBINE
  • PROBENECID
  • METHOTREXATE
  • ATORVASTATIN
  • FENOFIBRATE
  • CLOZAPINE

Habit Forming

No

Diet & Lifestyle Advise

  • Take a diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
  • Choose lean, low-fat sources of protein.
  • Limit sweets, soft drinks, and foods with added sugar. 
  • Take proteins, carbohydrates, and a good little fat in all meals and snacks in your regular diet.
  • Avoid eating raw eggs, meats, or seafood (including sushi and oysters/shellfish).
  • Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
  • Use a separate cutting board for raw meats.
  • Wash hands, utensils, and cutting boards with soap and water after each use.
  • Exercise regularly. 
  • Avoid excessive alcohol and quit smoking.

Special Advise

  • Skipping doses of Duovir Tablet may increase the risk of treatment failure. Make sure that you take all your doses at the correct time.
  • Always practice safe sex while taking Duovir Tablet . Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.
  • Exercise regularly and take calcium and vitamin D supplements as suggested by your doctor because Duovir Tablet may cause the weakening of your bones.

Disease/Condition Glossary

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus): HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). There is currently no effective cure. Once people get HIV, they have it for life. But with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, recurrent fevers, night sweats, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, skin rashes, recurrent oral or vaginal yeast infections, and pneumonia. The human immunodeficiency virus causes HIV infection. You can get HIV from contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids. Most people get the virus by having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV.

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Alcohol

Caution

Duovir Tablet with alcohol can cause unpleasant side effects. So please consult your doctor before consumption of alcohol while taking Duovir Tablet .

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Pregnancy

Caution

Duovir Tablet is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.

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Breast Feeding

Caution

Duovir Tablet is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.

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Driving

Caution

Duovir Tablet may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Don't drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.

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Liver

Caution

Duovir Tablet should be used with caution in liver patients due to the increased risk of worsening the patient's condition. So please consult your doctor before taking Duovir Tablet .

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Kidney

Caution

Duovir Tablet should be used with caution in kidney patients due to the increased risk of serious side effects. So please consult your doctor before taking Duovir Tablet .

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Children

Caution

Duovir Tablet should be used with caution in Children. Your doctor may prescribe Duovir Tablet by adjusting the dose based on the height and weight of the children.

Country of origin

India

Manufacturer/Marketer address

Cipla House, Peninsula Business Park, Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai-400013
Other Info - DUO0015

Author Details

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FAQs

Duovir Tablet is used to treat HIV infection.
Duovir Tablet works by preventing HIV (virus) from multiplying, thereby reducing the amount of virus in your body. They also increase the CD4 cell (white blood cells that protect against infection) count in your blood.
Duovir Tablet should be used with proper caution and doctor consultation if you have kidney disease, liver disease, pancreatic disease, low red blood cell count (anaemia), low white blood cell count (neutropenia), osteonecrosis (death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply), or lactic acidosis.
Stopping Duovir Tablet may increase the risk of treatment failure. So Duovir Tablet should not be stopped without consulting your doctor.
Please consult your doctor if you are using other medicines before starting Duovir Tablet . However, medicines like didanosine, co-trimoxazole, clarithromycin, fluconazole, rifampicin, ranitidine, and phenytoin may interact with Duovir Tablet and should not be used simultaneously.
Duovir Tablet belongs to anti-retroviral drugs used to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. HIV attacks the immune system, and without treatment, it can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). This medication does not cure HIV but helps to prevent the virus from multiplying in your body, thereby reducing the viral load. It also helps increase the count of CD4 cells, which are white blood cells that protect the body against infections.
Yes, Duovir Tablet is safe if taken in the dose and duration exactly as prescribed by the doctor.
Duovir Tablet should be taken orally. Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush or break it.
Yes, Duovir Tablet is effective in treating HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. It works by inhibiting the replication of the virus, thus helping to reduce the viral load in the body and preventing the progression of HIV to AIDS. However, it is not a cure for HIV, it should be taken as part of a complete antiretroviral therapy (ART) plan, as prescribed by the doctor.
If you forget to take a dose of Duovir Tablet , take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
The side effects of Duovir Tablet include fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, headache, cough, a feeling of discomfort, and nasal congestion (stuffy nose). Consult the doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.

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