Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Epivir, Epivir HBV

Generic Name: lamivudine (Pronunciation: la MIV yoo deen)

• 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?

What is lamivudine (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?

Lamivudine is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

The Epivir brand of lamivudine is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Lamivudine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. The Epivir-HBV brand of lamivudine is used to treat chronic 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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Epivir 150 mg

elliptical, white, imprinted with GX CJ7, 150

Epivir 300 mg

diamond, gray, imprinted with GX EJ7

Epivir-HBV 100 mg

oval, yellow, imprinted with GX CG5

What are the possible side effects of lamivudine (Epivir, Epivir HBV)?

Stop using lamivudine and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:

• liver damage - nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• lactic acidosis - muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, nausea with vomiting, and fast or uneven heart rate;
• pancreatitis - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
• peripheral neuropathy - numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, pale skin;
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• any other signs of new infection.

Less serious side effects may include:

• cough;
• sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• joint or muscle pain;
• dizziness, headache, tired feeling; or
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. 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)?

Lamivudine should not be taken together with Combivir, a medication that contains a combination of lamivudine and zidovudine.

Lamivudine may cause lactic acidosis (the build up of lactic acid in the body). Symptoms can start slowly and gradually get worse: unusual muscle pain and weakness, trouble breathing, fast or uneven heart rate, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and numbness or cold feeling in your arms or legs. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms, even if they are only mild.

Lamivudine can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver or pancreas. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms while taking lamivudine: severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, fast heart rate, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Before taking lamivudine, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, a history of pancreatitis, or if you have used a medicine similar to lamivudine in the past, such as abacavir (Ziagen), didanosine (Videx), stavudine (Zerit), tenofovir (Viread), zalcitabine (Hivid), or zidovudine (Retrovir).

If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking lamivudine, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function on a regular basis for several months after you stop using this medication. Do not miss any scheduled visits.

Epivir tablets and liquid contain a higher dose of lamivudine than Epivir-HBV. 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.