The normal dose of Combivir is one tablet, twice a day. When you start any anti-viral treatment you may have temporary side effects such as headaches, hypertension, or a general sense of feeling ill. These side effects usually get better or disappear over time. The most serious side effects of AZT are anemia, granulocytopenia, and myopathy. Very few people have these side effects.
Anemia is a shortage of red blood cells caused by damage to bone marrow.
If you get anemia, your doctor might reduce your dose or switch AZT for another antiviral drug. If the anemia is severe and you have to keep taking AZT, you may need a blood transfusion, or you might take the drug erythropoietin. Granulocytopenia is a shortage of white blood cells caused by damage to bone marrow. But G-CSF is very expensive. Changing drugs may be a better choice.