Triple-Combination Therapy: This single tablet contains a fixed-dose combination of three antiretroviral agents: Zidovudine (A) 300 mg, Lamivudine (B) 150 mg, and Nevirapine (C) 200 mg.
Adult Formulation: This specific strength is a standard dosage formulated for adult patients, typically taken twice daily.
Drug Classes: The combination includes two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and one non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI).
Complete Regimen: This single tablet provides a complete and potent antiretroviral regimen, which is a major advantage over taking multiple separate pills.
Advantages
Effective First-Line Treatment: This combination is a well-established and highly effective first-line treatment for HIV-1 infection, demonstrating significant viral suppression.
Improved Adherence: The single-pill formulation significantly reduces the pill burden and complexity of treatment, which is a major factor in improving patient adherence and ensuring long-term treatment success.
Synergistic Antiviral Effect: The three drugs work together to inhibit HIV replication through different mechanisms, providing a powerful and broad-spectrum attack on the virus.
Established Efficacy: The efficacy of this three-drug combination has been well-established through extensive clinical trials, and it has been a cornerstone of global HIV treatment guidelines, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Uses
HIV-1 Infection: Indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents weighing at least 30 kg, as part of a complete antiretroviral regimen.
First-Line Therapy: It is a common component of first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens for adults, simplifying the initiation of treatment.
Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission: It can be used as part of a regimen to prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth.
Treatment-Naïve Patients: The combination is widely used in patients who are new to antiretroviral therapy.
Nature
Drug Classes: The tablet contains two different classes of drugs: NRTIs (zidovudine and lamivudine) and an NNRTI (nevirapine).
Mechanism of Action:Zidovudine and lamivudine inhibit the viral enzyme reverse transcriptase by terminating the viral DNA chain. Nevirapine also inhibits reverse transcriptase, but it does so by binding directly to the enzyme and changing its shape, making it non-functional.
Dual-Target Inhibition: By targeting the same viral enzyme (reverse transcriptase) through two different mechanisms, the combination provides a powerful and broad-spectrum attack on the virus, reducing the risk of resistance.
Side Effects: Nevirapine is associated with a risk of severe rash and hepatotoxicity (liver damage), particularly during the first few weeks of therapy. A lead-in dosing strategy for nevirapine is often used to mitigate this risk.
Storage
Temperature: Store the tablets at controlled room temperature, typically between 20∘C to 25∘C (68∘F to 77∘F).
Protection: Keep the tablets in their original, tightly closed container, protected from light and moisture.
Patient Compliance: Patients must be educated on the importance of taking every dose as prescribed to prevent the development of viral resistance and to ensure long-term treatment success.
Child Safety: Store the medication in a secure location, out of the reach of children and pets.
