Compare Retrovir vs. Combivir
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Works with other drugs to treat HIV infection or prevents transmission to your baby.
Retrovir (zidovudine) is not the first choice to treat HIV because of its side effects.
Treats HIV infection
While Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) isn't one of the first choices for treating HIV, it can still be an option if other HIV medications aren't working well for you.
Upsides
- Retrovir (zidovudine) is safe and effective for children and infants.
- Retrovir (zidovudine) is available in several single-pill combination tablets so you don't need to take as many pills.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) can be taken with or without food.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) can be taken by children and adolescents weighing 30kg (66lbs) or more.
- Available in generic.
Downsides
- Retrovir (zidovudine) can cause serious blood, muscle, and liver problems.
- Many people experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and headache when taking Retrovir (zidovudine).
- Taking Retrovir (zidovudine) can raise your cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) needs to be taken twice daily.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) may cause serious blood, muscle, and liver problems.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) is not recommended if you have kidney damage.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) can cause a lot of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, and malaise.
Used for
- HIV infection
- Prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission
- HIV Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Liquid
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$23.60
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$47.56
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Side effects
12possible side effects
- Fever25%
- Cough15%
- Skin rashes12%
- Enlarged liver11%
- Enlarged lymph nodes9%
- Nausea and vomiting8%
- Diarrhea8%
- Nasal discharge or congestion8%
- Wheezing7%
- Pain in the ear7%
- Swelling of the mouth6%
- Enlarged spleen5%
20possible side effects
- Headache35%
- Nausea33%
- Malaise and fatigue27%
- Nose-related problems20%
- Diarrhea18%
- Cough18%
- Nausea and vomiting13%
- Nerve problems12%
- Bone pain12%
- Insomnia and other sleep disorders11%
- Fever or chills10%
- Loss or decrease in appetite10%
- Dizziness10%
- Abdominal pain9%
- Depression9%
- Skin rashes9%
- Muscle pain8%
- Abdominal cramps6%
- Indigestion5%
- Joint pain5%
Risks and risk factors
- Blood and bone marrow problems
- Advanced HIV
- Anemia
- Neutropenia
- Muscle and kidney damage
- Extended use of Retrovir (zidovudine)
- Acid build-up in the blood
- Liver disease
- Women
- Obesity
- Fat redistribution
- HIV treatment
- Immune reconstitution syndrome
- HIV
- Exposure to other infections
- Start of a new HIV medication
- Change in HIV therapy
- Blood and bone marrow problems
- Advanced HIV
- Anemia
- Neutropenia
- Muscle damage
- Taking Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) for a long time
- Worsening of hepatitis B
- Hepatitis B virus
- Lactic acidosis | Enlarged, fatty liver
- Liver disease
- Women
- Obesity
- Immune reconstitution syndrome
- HIV
- Exposure to other infections
- Start of a new HIV medication
- Change in HIV therapy
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- History of pancreatitis