Description
Twinaqt Tablet is a combination of antiretroviral medicine that contains two active substances: Dolutegravir and Lamivudine. It is used to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in adults and adolescents over 12 who weigh at least 40 kg.
Uses
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Therapeutic Effects
Twinaqt Tablet works by inhibiting different enzymes necessary for the replication of HIV. Dolutegravir blocks the integrase enzyme, preventing the insertion of viral DNA into the DNA of the host immune cells. Lamivudine inhibits the reverse transcriptase enzyme, essential for converting viral RNA into DNA.
Interaction with Other Drugs
Inform your doctor about all your medicines, including prescription, over-the-counter, nutritional or vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications may interact with Twinaqt Tablet, reducing effectiveness or causing undesirable side effects.
Dosage and Administration
Twinaqt Tablet is an orally available prescription drug. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of Twinaqt Tablet based on the disease condition and other factors. Always take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Take the tablet with or without food. Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet. Swallow the whole tablet with water.
Safety Advice
- Pregnancy: Taking Twinaqt Tablet during the first weeks of pregnancy or when becoming pregnant may increase the risk of a malformed spinal cord in the baby. Inform your physician if you are pregnant, suspecting, or planning to get pregnant before taking this medicine.
- Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding is not recommended because the viral infection can pass through breast milk with this Twinaqt Tablet.
- Lungs: Consult your doctor if you have any lung disease before starting the treatment.
- Liver: You should tell your doctor if you have had liver diseases, including hepatitis B or C, before taking Twinaqt Tablet as they may reactivate the virus.
- Alcohol: It is unknown whether alcohol may interact with Twinaqt Tablet. Inform your physician if you drink alcoholic beverages.
- Driving: Avoid driving if you feel unwell, as this Twinaqt Tablet can make you feel dizzy and less alert.
Side Effects
Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them.
Serious side effects:
- Severe allergic reactions (fever, rash, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath, swelling of the face or mouth, tiredness).
Common side effects:
- Headache
- Itching
- Dizziness, drowsiness
- Wind
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Depression
- Difficulty sleeping, abnormal dreams
- Hair loss
- Muscle pain, joint pain
Word of Advice
To prevent the spread of HIV infection, avoid sharing needles or syringes, which can transmit HIV infections easily. It's necessary for individuals who use injectable drugs to use sterile needles and syringes and never share them with others. Personal items like toothbrushes, razor blades, or anything with body fluids or blood should also be avoided. They should not be shared because HIV can be present in blood and certain body fluids, and sharing these items could mainly transmit the virus.
FAQs
Can Twinaqt Tablet be used in combination with other drugs? Twinaqt Tablet can be combined with other antiretroviral drugs as an HIV treatment regimen. Combination therapy involving multiple antiretroviral drugs is the standard approach for treating HIV infection.
How do the Twinaqt Tablet work? Twinaqt Tablet work by inhibiting different enzymes that are necessary for the replication of HIV. It blocks the integrase enzyme, preventing the insertion of viral DNA into the DNA of the host immune cells. The other drug inhibits the reverse transcriptase enzyme, essential for converting viral RNA into DNA.
How will I receive the Twinaqt Tablet? Always take Twinaqt Tablet as prescribed by your doctor. Take the tablet with or without food. Do not break, chew, crush, or them. Swallow the whole with water.
Whether Twinaqt Tablet are safe for breastfeeding? Twinaqt Tablet is unsafe for breastfeeding because HIV infection can be easily passed to the baby through the breast milk, so it should be avoided.
Who should not take Twinaqt Tablet? Twinaqt Tablet should not be taken by individuals who are allergic to it or its ingredients.
Fact Box
- Molecule name: Dolutegravir, Lamivudine
- Therapeutic class: Antiretrovirals
- Pharmacological class:
- Dolutegravir — Integrase inhibitors (INIs)
- Lamivudine — Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
- Indications: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)