Combivir Dosage/Direction for Use

COMBIVIR therapy should be initiated and monitored by a physician experienced in the management of HIV infection.
COMBIVIR may be administered with or without food.
To ensure administration of the entire dose, the tablet(s) should ideally be swallowed without crushing. For patients who are unable to swallow tablets, the tablets may be crushed and added to a small amount of semi-solid food or liquid, all of which should be consumed immediately (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions).
Adults and adolescents weighing at least 30 kg: The recommended dose of COMBIVIR is one tablet twice daily.
Children weighing between 21 kg and 30 kg: The recommended oral dose of COMBIVIR is one-half tablet taken in the morning and one whole tablet taken in the evening.
Children weighing from 14 kg to 21 kg: The recommended oral dose of COMBIVIR is one-half tablet taken twice daily.
For children weighing less than 14 kg, lamivudine (3TC) and zidovudine (RETROVIR) should be taken as separate formulations according to the prescribed dosing for these products.
If a reduction in dose of COMBIVIR appears clinically indicated, or if one of the components of COMBIVIR (lamivudine or zidovudine) requires reduction or discontinuation, separate preparations of lamivudine (3TC) and zidovudine (RETROVIR) are available in tablets/capsules and oral solution.
Elderly: No specific data are available, however special care is advised in this age group due to age associated changes such as the decrease in renal function and alteration of haematological parameters.
Renal impairment: Dosage adjustment of lamivudine is required in patients with a creatinine clearance of less than 50 ml/min (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions). It is therefore recommended that separate preparations of lamivudine and zidovudine should be administered to these patients.
Hepatic impairment: Dosage adjustments for zidovudine may be necessary in patients with hepatic impairment (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions). It is therefore recommended that separate preparations of lamivudine and zidovudine should be administered to patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Dosage adjustments in patients with haematological adverse reactions: Dosage adjustment of zidovudine may be necessary if the haemoglobin level falls below 9 g/dl or 5.59 mmol/l or the neutrophil count falls below 1.0 x 10⁹/l (see Contraindications and Precautions). As dosage adjustment of COMBIVIR is not possible separate preparations of zidovudine and lamivudine should be used.