Generic name: lamivudine [ la-MIV-ue-deen ]
Brand names: Epivir, Epivir HBV
Dosage forms: oral solution (10 mg/mL; 5 mg/mL); oral tablet (100 mg; 150 mg; 300 mg)
Drug class:Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
What is lamivudine?
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 in adults and children at least 3 months old. HIV is 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 in adults and children at least 2 years old. 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.
Warnings
You should not take Epivir-HBV (for treating hepatitis B) if you also take other medicine that contains lamivudine or emtricitabine.
Lamivudine can 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've ever had hepatitis B, it may become active or get worse after you stop using lamivudine. You may need frequent liver function tests for several months.
The hepatitis B virus may become resistant to treatment while...
