Efavirenz + Lamivudine + Zidovudine is a combination of three antiretroviral medicines developed by the U.S. Food And Drug Administration for treating HIV-1 infection.

Efavirenz + Lamivudine + Zidovudineis available as a tablet.  Lamivudine and Zidovudine belong to the class of medications called nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Nevirapine belongs to the class of medication called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. It is used to treat HIV-1 infection. 

Take the Efavirenz + Lamivudine + Zidovudine as advised by your physician. Swallow the tablets whole and intact. This tablet should be taken with food. Do not crush, chew, or open the medicine. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition. Only stop taking the medicine if your doctor advises you to stop.

The common side effects of Efavirenz + Lamivudine + Zidovudine include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, tiredness, fever or chills, diarrhoea, cough and decreased appetite. Some serious side effects are lactic acidosis, liver problems, hypersensitive reactions, seizures, muscle pain, changes in body fat and blood problems.

Efavirenz + Lamivudine + Zidovudine is contraindicated in individuals with severe renal impairment and may have altered drug clearance, which mainly affects the efficacy and safety of the medicine. Also, it is highly advised not to use this drug in patients with severe renal impairment. Dose adjustment is necessary for such conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any liver disease, including hepatitis B or C, kidney disease, heart problems, diabetes, history of seizures, mental health problems, consumed street drugs, or large amounts of alcohol before taking Efavirenz + Lamivudine + Zidovudine. The administration of this medicine is associated with hematologic toxicity (decrease in blood cells), muscle weakness, liver diseases, infection, and lactic acidosis (acid buildup due to problems in the body's metabolism). Do not breastfeed. Consult your doctor about safe sex practices.

During the initial stage of treatment, some patients may experience an inflammatory response to opportunistic infections. This condition, immune reconstitution syndrome, can occur after starting the drug or other antiretroviral therapies. Knowing this possibility and monitoring for any signs of worsening infections or inflammatory symptoms is necessary. Inform your healthcare provider if the symptoms concern you or persist longer than usual. Patients are also advised to report any skin or hypersensitivity reactions to their healthcare provider and to seek medical emergency immediately if they experience any symptoms of a severe reaction. Tell your doctor immediately about all the medications you have been taking recently, including herbal and supplements, before taking Efavirenz + Lamivudine + Zidovudine.

Do not share personal objects such as toothbrushes or razors with anyone. To prevent the spread of HIV infection, avoid sharing needles or syringes, which can transmit the infection easily. It's necessary for individuals who use injectable drugs to use sterile needles and syringes and never share them with others. Personal items should also be avoided. They should not be shared because HIV-1 can be present in blood and certain body fluids, and sharing these items could mainly transmit the virus.

Since this drug is unsafe for breastfeeding because HIV infection can be passed to the baby in the breast milk, alternative feeding methods can be followed to nourish the infant's growth. If you forget to take Efavirenz + Lamivudine + Zidovudine for the entire day, take your usual dose the next day. However, do not double-dose yourself. Throw away medicines that are no longer needed or are out-of-date. Keep medicines away from children and pets. Do not store these medicines in a damp place such as a bathroom, cabinet, or near the kitchen sink.

1. Strides Arcolab Limited, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Issued on May 2007] [ Accessed on 19th May 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/pepfar/022096PI.pdf
2. Cipla Ltd, [ Revised on July 2020] [ Accessed on 19th May 2023], https://www.ciplamed.com/content/duovir-e-kit
3. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Antiviral drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 806 - 811.
4. Goodman & Gilman's, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Antiretroviral agents and treatment of HIV infection, 12th edition, 2011, 1632-1634.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you can receive this treatment.