* Generic Name: lamivudine
* Brand Name: Epivir
* What is lamivudine (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
* What are the possible side effects of lamivudine (Epivir,
Epivir HBV)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
lamivudine (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
lamivudine (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
* How should I take lamivudine (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
* What happens if I overdose (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
* What should I avoid while taking lamivudine (Epivir, Epivir
HBV)?
* What other drugs will affect lamivudine (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
* Where can I get more information (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
What is lamivudine (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
Lamivudine is an antiviral medicine that prevents human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus from
multiplying in your body.
Epivir is for treating HIV, the virus that can cause acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Epivir is not a cure for HIV
or AIDS.
Epivir-HBV is for treating hepatitis B. Epivir-HBV should not be
used in people who are infected with both hepatitis B and HIV.
Lamivudine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What are the possible side effects of lamivudine (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
throat.
Early symptoms of lactic acidosis may get worse over time and this
condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even
mild symptoms: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in
your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with
vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very
weak or tired.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
* pancreas problems--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to
your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate; or
* liver problems--nausea, right-sided stomach pain, itching, tired
feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools,
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Lamivudine may increase your risk of certain infections or
autoimmune disorders by changing the way your immune system
works. Symptoms may occur weeks or months after you start treatment
with lamivudine. Tell your doctor if you have:
* signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands,
mouth sores, diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss;
* chest pain (especially when you breathe), dry cough, wheezing,
feeling short of breath;
* cold sores, sores on your genital or anal area;
* rapid heart rate, feeling anxious or irritable, weakness or prickly
feeling, problems with balance or eye movement;
* trouble speaking or swallowing, severe lower back pain, loss of
bladder or bowel control; or
* swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual
changes, impotence, loss of interest in sex.
Common side effects may include:
* nausea, diarrhea;
* headache;
* changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your
arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist);
* fever, tiredness, general ill feeling;
* ear infection--ear pain or full feeling, trouble hearing, drainage
from the ear; or
* nose or throat infection--stuffy nose, sneezing, sore
throat, cough.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about lamivudine
(Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
You should not take Epivir-HBV (for treating hepatitis B) if you also
take other medicine that contains lamivudine or emtricitabine. This
includes Atripla, Combivir, Complera, Emtriva,
Epzicom, Stribild, Trizivir, and Truvada.
Lamivudine may cause a serious condition called lactic acidosis. Get
emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle
pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble
breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart
rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.
Lamivudine can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your
liver or pancreas. Call your doctor at once if you have: severe pain in
your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea, loss of appetite,
dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or
eyes).
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop
taking lamivudine. Your liver function may need to be checked for
several months after you stop using lamivudine.
Epivir Patient Information including How Should I Take
HIV AIDS: Myths and Facts on Symptoms and Treatments
HIV AIDS Myths and Facts Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Take the HIV/AIDS Quiz
AIDS Retrospective:Pictorial Timeline of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic
AIDS Retrospective Slideshow Pictures
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lamivudine
(Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
You should not take lamivudine if you are allergic to it.
You should not take Epivir-HBV (for treating hepatitis B) if you also
take other medicine that contains lamivudine or emtricitabine, which
includes:
* Atripla (efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir);
* Combivir (lamivudine and zidovudine);
* Complera (rilpivirine, emtricitabine, and tenofovir);
* Emtriva (emtricitabine);
* Epzicom (abacavir and lamivudine);
* Stribild (cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir);
* Trizivir (abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine); and
* Truvada (emtricitabine and tenofovir).
To make sure lamivudine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have
ever had:
* liver disease (especially hepatitis B if you are being treated
for HIV), or if you had a liver transplant;
* kidney disease;
* pancreatitis; or
* if you used any HIV/AIDS medicine in the past.
Some people taking lamivudine develop a serious condition called lactic
acidosis. This may be more likely in women, in people who are
overweight or have liver disease, and in people who have taken
HIV/AIDS medication for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your
risk.
If you have diabetes, you should know that the liquid forms of
lamivudine contain 3 to 4 grams of sucrose (sugar) per dose.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during
pregnancy. If you have HIV, take all of your HIV medicines as directed
to control your infection.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry.
This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any
effects of lamivudine on the baby.
Lamivudine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You
should not breast-feed while you are using lamivudine to treat
hepatitis B. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even
if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby
in your breast milk.
Lamivudine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 2 years old.
How should I take lamivudine (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this
medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
You should not take Epivir (for treating HIV) together with Epivir-HBV
(for treating hepatitis B).
Lamivudine can be taken with or without food.
You may need to break an Epivir tablet in half when giving this
medicine to a child for HIV. Call your doctor if the child has any
trouble swallowing the tablet.
If a child is using this medicine, tell your doctor if the child has
any changes in weight. Lamivudine doses are based on weight in
children, and any changes may affect your child's dose. Children who
weigh more than 30 pounds (14 kilograms) should use the tablet form of
lamivudine if possible. Lamivudine liquid may not be as effective.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a
special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a
dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
The Epivir brand contains a higher dose of lamivudine than Epivir-HBV
brand. Epivir is for treating HIV and Epivir-HBV is for treating
hepatitis B. Each time you get a refill of this medication, be sure you
have received the correct brand to treat your condition.
While using lamivudine, you may need frequent blood tests. Your kidney
and liver function may also need to be checked. You may also need to
have frequent HIV testing. If you become infected with HIV while
you are taking lamivudine to treat hepatitis, the HIV could become
resistant to antiviral medicines if not treated right away.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all
medications as directed by your doctor. Read the instructions provided
with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule
without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should
remain under the care of a doctor.
Store lamivudine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do
not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop
taking lamivudine. Your doctor may want to check your liver function
for several months after you stop using this medicine.
Epivir Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
HIV AIDS: Myths and Facts on Symptoms and Treatments
HIV AIDS Myths and Facts Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Take the HIV/AIDS Quiz
AIDS Retrospective:Pictorial Timeline of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic
AIDS Retrospective Slideshow Pictures
What happens if I miss a dose (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking lamivudine (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
Taking this medicine will not prevent you from passing HIV to other
people. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes.
Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission
during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a
healthy person.
What other drugs will affect lamivudine (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
Other drugs may interact with lamivudine, including prescription and
over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some drugs
should not be used together with lamivudine. Tell your doctor about all
your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about lamivudine.
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