Triple-Combination Therapy: This single tablet contains a fixed-dose combination of three antiretroviral agents: Zidovudine (A) 60 mg, Lamivudine (B) 30 mg, and Nevirapine (C) 50 mg.
Pediatric Formulation: This specific strength is a pediatric formulation (indicated by “P”), designed to simplify dosing for children and improve adherence to HIV treatment.
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 antiretroviral regimen for children, 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 in children, demonstrating significant viral suppression.
Improved Adherence: The single-pill formulation significantly reduces the pill burden for pediatric patients, which is a major factor in improving adherence and ensuring 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.
Convenient for Caregivers: The once- or twice-daily dosing schedule simplifies the administration process for parents or caregivers.
Uses
HIV-1 Infection: Indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in pediatric patients, as part of a complete antiretroviral regimen.
First-Line Therapy: It is a common component of first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens for children, especially in regions with a high prevalence of HIV.
Weight-Based Dosing: The specific strength is designed to allow for accurate weight-based dosing in children, a critical component of pediatric HIV care.
Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission: While not the first choice for all cases, this combination can be used in the context of preventing perinatal transmission, particularly in resource-limited settings.
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. Careful monitoring is essential.
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.
Child Safety: Store the medication in a secure location, out of the reach of children and pets, as this is a potent medication.
Adherence: Patients and caregivers 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.
