Lamivudine / zidovudine Alternatives Compared

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Lamivudine / zidovudine	Biktarvy (bictegravir / emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide)	Descovy (emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide)	Enter another drug to compare

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Lamivudine / zidovudine	Biktarvy (bictegravir / emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide)	Descovy (emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide)	Enter another drug to compare
Prescription only Prescribed for Nonoccupational Exposure, HIV Infection, Occupational Exposure. Lamivudine / zidovudine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.	Prescription only Biktarvy is a combination tablet that contains three antiviral agents which may be used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children weighing more than 25kg (55lb). It is generally well-tolerated and the... View more	Prescription only Prescribed for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, HIV Infection. Descovy may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.	Related suggestions HIV Infection Truvada Atripla Norvir Triumeq Emtricitabine / tenofovir disoproxil Tivicay
More about Lamivudine / zidovudine	More about Biktarvy (bictegravir / emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide)	More about Descovy (emtricitabine / tenofovir alafenamide)
Ratings & Reviews
Lamivudine / zidovudine has an average rating of 5.8 out of 10 from a total of 4 ratings on Drugs.com. 50% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 50% reported a negative effect.	Biktarvy has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 from a total of 216 ratings on Drugs.com. 58% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 19% reported a negative effect.	Descovy has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 from a total of 21 ratings on Drugs.com. 65% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 20% reported a negative effect.
View all 4 reviews	View all 216 reviews	View all 21 reviews
Drug Class
Antiviral combinations	Antiviral combinations	Antiviral combinations
Side Effects
Lamivudine / zidovudine side effects	Biktarvy side effects	Descovy side effects
Generic Availability
Lower cost generic	No lower cost generic approved	No lower cost generic approved
Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance
We could not find an exact match for this medicine. Try searching the Price Guide directly.	We could not find an exact match for this medicine. Try searching the Price Guide directly.	We could not find an exact match for this medicine. Try searching the Price Guide directly.
Get free Discount Card	Get free Discount Card	Get free Discount Card

Dosage Forms Available
Oral tablet	N/A	Oral tablet
Brand Names
Combivir	N/A	N/A
Half Life The half-life of a drug is the time taken for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce to half its original value.
7 hours	180 hours	25.7 hours
CSA Schedule ** View glossary of terms
N Not a controlled drug Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.	N Not a controlled drug Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.	N Not a controlled drug Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
Pregnancy Category
C Category C Risk cannot be ruled out See the full pregnancy warnings document.	Summary unavailable. See the full pregnancy warnings document.	Summary unavailable. See the full pregnancy warnings document.
Drug Interactions
A total of 380 drugs are known to interact with Lamivudine / zidovudine: 53 major drug interactions (144 brand and generic names) 294 moderate drug interactions (982 brand and generic names) 33 minor drug interactions (421 brand and generic names)	A total of 436 drugs are known to interact with Biktarvy: 187 major drug interactions (2134 brand and generic names) 247 moderate drug interactions (744 brand and generic names) 2 minor drug interactions (5 brand and generic names)	A total of 242 drugs are known to interact with Descovy: 134 major drug interactions (552 brand and generic names) 105 moderate drug interactions (275 brand and generic names) 3 minor drug interactions (7 brand and generic names)
Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions
No known alcohol/food interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.	No known alcohol/food interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.	No known alcohol/food interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Disease Interactions
Bone marrow suppression Myopathy Hepatitis B Hepatotoxicity Pancreatitis Renal dysfunction	Hepatic dysfunction Renal dysfunction Hepatitis B Hepatotoxicity Hemodialysis Renal dysfunction Bone toxicity Liver disease Renal dysfunction	Hepatitis B Hepatotoxicity Hemodialysis Renal dysfunction Bone toxicity Liver disease Renal dysfunction
First Approval Date
September 26, 1997	February 07, 2018	April 04, 2016
WADA Class View World Anti-Doping Agency classifications.
N/A	N/A	N/A
More Information
Side effects Pregnancy warnings Dosage information Drug images Drug interactions En Español	Side effects Pregnancy warnings Dosage information Drug images Drug interactions Support group En Español	Side effects Pregnancy warnings Dosage information Drug images Drug interactions Support group
Patient resources
Lamivudine / zidovudine uses Advanced reading	Biktarvy uses	Descovy uses
Professional Resources
Prescribing information	Prescribing information	Prescribing information
Related Treatment Guide
Nonoccupational Exposure HIV Infection Occupational Exposure	HIV Infection	Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis HIV Infection

** The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Lamivudine / zidovudine Alternatives Compared

Further information

Compare Drugs