Duovir-N and the Fight Against HIV/AIDS
Cipla is the world's leading company of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to treat HIV/AIDS, as calculated by units produced and distributed. Multinational brand-name drugs are much pricier, so in money terms Cipla medicines are reasonably priced. Roughly 40% of HIV/AIDS patients treated under antiretroviral therapy worldwide take Cipla drugs. Duovir-N(Lamivudine/Zidovudine/Nevirapine)is a valuable contribution ofit.
Cipla break new ground for the (now-standard) treatment for AIDS consisting of a combination of three anti-retroviral drugs. It created a three-in-one tablet called Triomune containing a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of three ARVs (Lamivudine, stavudine and Nevirapine), something difficult elsewhere because the three patents were held by different companies. Duovir-Nwas then formed with popular fixed-dose combination. This contains Lamivudine, Zidovudine and Nevirapine.
If either lamivudine or zidovudine used alone, it may not be more effective to treat HIV infection because the HIV virus can resist to the effects of the individual drugs. But if these medicines are used as combine, they can become more effective. HIV virus can’t develop resistance to both drugs simultaneously. Therefore, Combination is more successful than lamivudine or zidovudine alone. Combivir does not kill existing HIV virus, and it is not a cure for HIV. It only resists further virus production. FDAapprovedDuovir-N(Lamivudine/Zidovudine/Nevirapine) in September, 1997.
Duovir-Ncan lead to many problems such as headache, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, and sleep problems. If these continue or get worse, let your doctor know without delay. Report if you experience muscle pain, stomach pain, tingling and numbness. Changes in body fat may occur while you are taking this medication (e.g., increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas, decreased fat in the arms and legs). Nevirapine, an ingredient inDuovir-Nhas rarely caused severe (sometimes fatal) liver and skin reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, allergic reaction), particularly during the first 18 weeks of therapy. These reactions are most probable to occur during the first 6 weeks of therapy but can occur at any time while taking nevirapine. If you experience a rash at any time while using this drug, or if you develop unusual fatigue, abdominal or stomach pain, dark urine, loss of appetite, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, look for immediate medical help (liver function tests should also be done at this time).
Duovir-Nis not meant for patients with clinically essential hypersensitivity to any of the components of this drug. It also should not be applied to patients who only begin therapy with nevirapine. These patients should be able to adapt to the dosage nevirapine 200 mg o.d. whereas this formulation contains a dosage of service nevirapine 200mg b.d. Liver function tests should be made on, previous to initiating lead-in nevirapine therapy and at right intervals during treatment.
If you accidentally neglect employing more than one dose of this drug ask your main medical prescriber what to do (as in such cases special medical precautions might be necessary). It is important not to miss doses of this drug.
Store at room temperature between 36 and 86 degrees F (2-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.