LAMIVUDINE-(la mi vyoo deen)

Approved By the World Health Org

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 (Epivir-HBV) is used to treat hepatitis B infection. Lamivudine is in a class of medications called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Lamivudine comes as a tablet and liquid to take by mouth. Lamivudine (Epivir) is usually taken every 12 hours (twice a day).

Take lamivudine exactly as directed.

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

Contact your paediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children.

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

vomiting (in children)
vomiting
upset stomach (in children)
upset stomach
trouble sleeping
stuffy nose
stomach pain
rash
numbness, tingling, or burning in the fingers or toes
muscle pain
loss of appetite
headache
fever
fatigue
dizziness
diarrhea
depression
cough
chills

Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

trimethoprim
sulfamethoxazole
zalcitabine
interferon alfa or ribavirin

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form.

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.

Lamivudine does not prevent the spread of HIV to other people.

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

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.

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.

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

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.