Combivir - Side Effects

[budndallastx]

I started with a new doc last week at a friends recommendation.  She did not like the Sustiva / Truvada combination considering I had a history of Kidney problems.  I asked her about the studies and she indicated they were all over the place so it was safer to get off the Truvada and switch to something.  She prescribed Combivir along with Promethazine for Nausea.

Day 1: I was a bit nauseous but nothing I couldn't handle.  I did feel "run down" most of the day.
Day 2:  Slept most of the day again, the nausea was there I tried the anti-nausea med only to sleep the entire day away.
Day 3:  Nausea still there and getting worse.  I puked about two hours before my next dose of Combivir.  Just dry heaves since I hadn't eaten anything.  In the evening, I took combivir and within 30 minutes was heaving my guts including the meds back up.  I tried to wait an hour and tried to take another dose of combivir.  No luck, it wouldn't stay down.

I restarted the Truvada since it worked and have left a message with the doc.  No reply as of yet but it's New Years Day. 

Is this everyone's experience with AZT?  Any good strategies?  I looked on the lessons and there's really nothing practical there for me.
Today, I feel better but still a little nauseous.  It's fading fast and i can feel myself getting better.

[newt]

It's a bugger, the AZT nausea

You can take anti-nausea meds, also it does get better sometimes

Simple alternatives if Truvada really not on: Epzicom (abacavir + 3TC), ddI + 3TC (need a bit of care re: kidneys but dose adjustment well established

- matt

[J.R.E.]

Hello Bud,

Sorry to hear you are having a tough go at it right now. I was only on AZT for one month, back in 2004, in the form of Trizivir. I was already on the other components of Trizivir ( Abacavir and Epivir)
soooo, when I started feeling nauseaus and had had bad body aches, It could only be blamed on the AZT portion of the Trizivir. I dropped that 30 days later, and things improved quite fast again.



Let us know how things are going for you/ keep us updated-------Ray

[SoSadTooBad]

I have been on Combivir for about 6 months.  I get an uneasy feeling in my stomach about 10 minutes after I take it.  That feeling lasts until I eat something.  If I take the Combivir with food, I do not get any effects from it.  Is it worth taking it with some toast or crackers or something to buffer it in your stomach? 

In general, I find it pretty easy to live with, but I know everyone is different. 

Best of luck.

[BuzzJoe]

I have found that taking Combivir with food lessens the side effects. 

Been on Combivir and Viramune now for 3 1/2 years with very good results as far as controlling the HIV.

[cubbybear]

I was on Combivir for about 4 weeks when I was starting meds.  It was vile, and I was vomiting daily for the entire 4 weeks, not to mention the AZT giving me anaemia as well.  I never want to touch AZT again.

[aztecan]

I have been on AZT and 3TC (Epivir) for 11 years come March. The first month was a pain, as I remember, but I also was taking Saquinavir (Invirase) at the time, so the AZT nausea was eclipsed by the Saquinavir shits.

I haven't had a problem with AZT. I occasionally become nauseus after taking it on an empty stomach, but as soon as I much on something, even just a bite or two, it goes away instantly.

Good luck with whatever regimen you decide upon.

HUGS,

Mark