Epivir

Approved By the World Health Org

Epivir (Lamivudine) may be described as a white to off – white, crystalline solid which dissolves in water at twenty degrees celsius.

Lamivudine (Epivir) is used in combination with other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Lamivudine is not a cure and may not decrease the number of HIV-related illnesses. Lamivudine does not prevent the spread of HIV to other people. Lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) is used to treat hepatitis B infection. Lamivudine is in a class of medications called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. It works by stopping the spread of the HIV and hepatitis B viruses.

Lamivudine comes as a tablet and liquid to take by mouth. Lamivudine (Epivir) is usually taken every 12 hours (twice a day). Lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) is usually taken once a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take lamivudine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Continue to take lamivudine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking lamivudine without talking to your doctor.

Side effects from lamivudine are common. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

diarrhea
headache
fatigue
chills
upset stomach
vomiting
loss of appetite
dizziness
trouble sleeping
depression
stuffy nose
cough
If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

rash
stomach pain
vomiting (in children)
upset stomach (in children)
fever
muscle pain
numbness, tingling, or burning in the fingers or toes

Sometimes, Epivir (Lamivudine) may even cause nausea, severe Hepatomegaly (liver enlargement), mood swings, back pain and white patches inside one’s mouth or on the lips.

Moreover, Epivir (Lamivudine) may even cause unexplained weight gain, blurred vision, unexpected weight loss, skin complications and a severe itching sensation.

Sometimes, Epivir (Lamivudine) may even cause anemia, severe hair loss, severe Steatosis (fatty liver), Neutropenia (Neutrophils deficiency – a type of white blood cell – WBC) and troubled breathing.

Moreover, Epivir (Lamivudine) may even cause palpitations, disorientation, sores inside one’s mouth or on the lips, unexpected body swelling and hives.

Epivir (Lamivudine) interacts with various medications, such as, Abacavir (Ziagen), Didanosine (Videx), Stavudine (Zerit), Tenofovir (Viread), Zidovudine (Retrovir), Zalcitabine (Hivid), Emtricitabine and Roferon.
Moreover, Epivir (Lamivudine) interacts with various other medications, such as, Intron, Rebetron, Combivir, Rebetol, Copegus Virazole, Ribasphere and Emtriva.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is very important for the patient to know that before consuming Epivir (Lamivudine) they must inform their health care professional if they have ever had a history of or are currently suffering from excessive alcohol consumption, Diabetes (liquid forms of the medication contain three to four grams of sucrose/sugar), Myalgia or Pancreatitis (in adults as well).

Moreover, before consuming Epivir (Lamivudine) it is very important for the patient to be aware of the fact that this medication does pass into breast milk.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Lamivudine also is used in combination with zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT) to treat health-care workers or other individuals exposed to HIV infection after accidental contact with HIV-contaminated blood, tissues, or other body fluids. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition. This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture.

Before taking lamivudine,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lamivudine or any other drugs.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra), and vitamins.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had hepatitis B, kidney disease, or pancreas disease (in children only).

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking lamivudine, call your doctor. You should not breast-feed while taking lamivudine.

IMPORTANT WARNING: Lamivudine, when used alone or in combination with other antiviral medications, can cause serious damage to the liver and a condition called lactic acidosis. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: upset stomach, loss of appetite, excessive tiredness, weakness, dark yellow or brown urine, unusual bleeding or bruising, flu-like symptoms, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and pain in the upper right part of your stomach.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to lamivudine.Epivir tablets and liquid (used to treat human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]) are not interchangeable with Epivir-HBV tablets and liquid (used to treat hepatitis B infection). Epivir contains a higher dose of lamivudine than Epivir-HBV.

Treatment with Epivir-HBV in patients infected with HIV may cause the HIV virus to be less treatable with lamivudine and other medicines. If you have both HIV and hepatitis B, you should take only Epivir. If you are taking Epivir-HBV for hepatitis B infection, talk to your doctor about your risks for HIV infection.