Avonza Tablet (30'S)

Prescription
Prescription Required: Consult the Doctor & Get Your ePrescription

Avonza Tablet is not a cure for HIV or AIDS and only helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body. This helps to lower your risk of getting HIV-related complications and improves your lifespan. It is prescribed in combination with other HIV medicines. Your doctor will recommend the best medicines for you and will decide the doses that you need. Follow carefully the instructions for all the medicines that you are given. It can be taken with or without food. Taking all these medicines regularly at the right times greatly increases their effectiveness and reduces the chances of HIV becoming resistant to them. It is important not to miss doses and to keep taking them until your doctor tells you it is safe to stop. Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have any skin problems or liver or kidney disease. While using it, you may need regular blood tests to check your blood counts and liver function. Avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase your risk of liver damage. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before using this medicine. Do not have unprotected sex or share personal items like razors or toothbrushes, if you are HIV positive. Talk to your doctor about safe ways like condoms to prevent HIV transmission during sex.


Basic Information

Mechanism Of Action

Avonza Tablet is a combination of three antiviral medicines: Lamivudine, Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and Efavirenz. They work by preventing HIV (virus) from multiplying, thereby reducing the amount of virus in your body.

Pharmacokinets

The pharmacokinetics of lamivudine are similar in patients with HIV-1 or HBV infection, and healthy volunteers. The drug is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, with maximum serum concentrations usually attained 0.5 to 1.5 hours after the dose.

The pharmacokinetics of tenofovir are dose-proportional and similar in healthy volunteers and HIV-infected individuals. The oral bioavailability of tenofovir is enhanced by administration with a high-fat meal, but is similar at steady state when administered with or without a typical meal.

At standard adult doses, efavirenz exhibits linear pharmacokinetics. Efavirenz is principally metabolized by CYP450 2B6 and 3A4 to hydroxylated metabolites with subsequent glucuronidation. Efavirenz is an inducer and an inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 system and leads to self-induction.


Side Effects

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Avonza

Headache

Fever

Cough

Fatigue

Joint pain

Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)

Gastrointestinal disturbance

Rash

Hair loss

Muscle disorders

General discomfort

Contra Indications

increased blood acidity due to high levels of lactic acid.

acute inflammation of the pancreas.

chronic inflammation of the pancreas.

a patient who is producing milk and breastfeeding.

chronic kidney disease stage 3A (moderate)

chronic kidney disease stage 3B (moderate)

Pregnancy Related Information

Avonza Tablet is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.


Product And Alcohol Interaction

Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Avonza Tablet. Please consult your doctor.


Breast Feeding Related Information

Avonza Tablet is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.


Indications

Avonza Tablet is a combination of antiretrovirals medicines. It is prescribed to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. It boosts up the immunity to fight against HIV to manage or treat AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

Interactions

The medicine should be taken in an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime for better efficacy. Taking these medicines regularly at the same time increases their effectiveness. A dose of this medicine must not be missed as it can affect your recovery.

Storage Requirements

Store below 30°C


Effects Of Missed Dosage

If you miss a dose of Avonza Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.


Effects Of Overdose

Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.


Expert Advice

Lamivudine

You have been prescribed Lamivudine for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

In combination with other medicines, it is used for the treatment of HIV infections.

Take it with food, as this increases the absorption of the medicine into the body.

Lamivudine may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.

You may still develop infections or other illnesses associated with viral infection while taking this medication.

You can also pass on HIV or HBV to others. Don't share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.

During treatment and for at least six months after stopping this medicine, regular blood tests are needed to monitor your liver function, level of hepatitis B virus and blood cells in your blood.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate

You have been prescribed Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

In combination with other medicines, it is used for the treatment of HIV infections.

Take it with food, as this increases the absorption of the medicine into the body.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.

You may still develop infections or other illnesses associated with viral infection while taking this medication.

You can also pass on HIV or HBV to others. Don't share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.

During treatment and for at least six months after stopping this medicine, regular blood tests are needed to monitor your liver function, level of hepatitis B virus and blood cells in your blood.

Efavirenz

Efavirenz is used in combination with other medicines for the treatment of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

Take it on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime to reduce side effects.

Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.

You can also pass on HIV or HBV to others. Don't share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.

Your doctor may check your liver function regularly. Inform your doctor if you notice yellowing of eyes or skin, dark urine, or stomach pain.

You might experience dizziness or abnormal dreams during initial days of treatment. Consult with a doctor if it bothers you or does not go away.

Use a reliable method of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.


FAQs

Q. How should I take Lamivudine?

Lamivudine should be taken in the dose and duration advised by the doctor. This medicine can be taken with or without food. However, it is better to take it at a fixed time of the day to avoid the chances of missing a dose.

Q. Is Lamivudine effective?

Lamivudine is effective if used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if you see improvement in your condition. If you stop using Lamivudine too early, the symptoms may return or worsen.

Q. What is drug resistance? Can I develop drug resistance with Lamivudine?

Drug resistance is a state where the medicine which was once effective in treating an infection becomes ineffective. This mainly happens due to the ability acquired by the virus or bacteria to get modified inside the body which affects the overall working of the medicine. Hence, the medicine is no longer able to fight against the virus or bacteria. Generally, drug resistance with Lamivudine is more likely to happen if you take less dose than what is recommended.

Q. How long should I take Lamivudine?

Do not stop taking entecavir without consulting your doctor. Stopping entecavir before treatment may worsen your hepatitis. This can happen during the first several months after you stop taking entecavir. Take the medicine strictly as advised and do not miss any dose.