Lamivudine CAS NO 134678-17-4 Inquire about Lamivudine
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What is Lamivudine?![Lamivudine](https://tecoland.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Lamivudine-300x208.png)
Lamivudine is a prescription drug. It comes as an oral tablet and an oral solution.
Lamivudine oral tablet is available as the brand-name drugs Epivir and Epivir-HBV. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.
If you’re taking lamivudine to treat HIV, you’ll take it as part of a combination therapy. That means you’ll need to take it with other drugs to treat your HIV infection.
Why it’s used
Lamivudine is used to treat two different viral infections: HIV and hepatitis B (HBV).
How it works
Lamivudine belongs to a class of drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
Lamivudine doesn’t cure infection with HIV or HBV. However, it helps slow the progression of these diseases by limiting the ability of the viruses to replicate (make copies of themselves).
In order to replicate and spread in your body, HIV and HBV need to use an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. NRTIs such as lamivudine block this enzyme. This action prevents HIV and HBV from making copies as quickly, slowing down the spread of the viruses.
When lamivudine is used on its own to treat HIV, it can lead to drug resistance. It must be used in combination with at least two other antiretroviral drugs to control HIV.
Lamivudine side effects
Lamivudine oral tablet can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking lamivudine. This list does not include all possible side effects.
For more information on the possible side effects of lamivudine, or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
More common side effects
The more common side effects that can occur with lamivudine include:
- cough
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- headache
- malaise (general discomfort)
- nasal symptoms, such as a runny nose
- nausea
Serious side effects
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
- Lactic acidosis or severe liver enlargement. Symptoms can include:
- stomach pain
- diarrhea
- shallow breathing
- muscle pain
- weakness
- feeling cold or dizzy
- Pancreatitis. Symptoms can include:
- stomach bloating
- pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- tenderness when touching the abdomen
- Hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis. Symptoms can include:
- sudden or severe rash
- breathing problems
- hives
- Liver disease. Symptoms can include:
- dark urine
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
- jaundice (yellowing skin)
- nausea
- tenderness in the stomach area
- Fungal infection, pneumonia, or tuberculosis. These could be a sign that you’re experiencing immune reconstitution syndrome.
Lamivudine may interact with other medications
Lamivudine oral tablet can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects.
Below is a list of medications that can interact with lamivudine. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with lamivudine.
Before taking lamivudine, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Emtricitabine
Don’t take emtricitabine if you’re also taking lamivudine. They are similar drugs and taking them together can increase the dangerous side effects of emtricitabine. Drugs that contain emtricitabine include:
- emtricitabine (Emtriva)
- emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada)
- emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (Descovy)
- efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Atripla)
- rilpivirine/emtricitabine /tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Complera)
- rilpivirine/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (Odefsey)
- emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/elvitegravir/cobicistat (Stribild)
- emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate/elvitegravir/cobicistat (Genvoya)
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
This combination antibiotic is used to treat various infections, including urinary tract infection and traveler’s diarrhea. Lamivudine may interact with these drugs. Talk to your doctor if you’re taking this antibiotic. Other names for it include:
- Bactrim
- Septra DS
- Cotrim DS
Drugs that contain sorbitol
Taking sorbitol with lamivudine can decrease the amount of lamivudine in your body. This can make it less effective. If possible, avoiding using lamivudine with any drugs that contain sorbitol. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications. If you must take lamivudine with drugs that contain sorbitol, your doctor will likely monitor your viral load more closely.
How to take lamivudine
The lamivudine dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition you’re using lamivudine to treat
- your age
- the form of lamivudine you take
- other medical conditions you may have
Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the dosage that’s right for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs.
Dosage for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
Generic: Lamivudine
- Form: oral tablet
- Strengths: 150 mg, 300 mg
Brand: Epivir
- Form: oral tablet
- Strengths: 150 mg, 300 mg
Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)
- Typical dosage: 300 mg each day. This amount can be given as 150 mg twice a day, or 300 mg once a day.
Child dosage (ages 3 months to 17 years)
Dosage is based on your child’s weight.
- Typical dosage: 4 mg/kg, twice per day, or 8 mg/kg once daily.
- For children who weigh 14 kg (31 lbs) to <20 kg (44 lbs): 150 mg once daily, or 75 mg twice daily.
- For children who weigh ≥20 (44 lbs) to ≤25 kg (55 lbs): 225 mg once daily, or 75 mg in the morning and 150 mg in the evening.
- For children who weigh ≥25 kg (55 lbs): 300 mg once daily, or 150 mg twice daily.
Child dosage (ages 0–2 months)
Dosage for children younger than 3 months has not been established.
Special dosage considerations
- For children and others who can’t swallow tablets: Children and others who can’t swallow tablets may take the oral solution instead. The dosage is based on body weight. Your child’s doctor will determine the dosage. The tablet form is preferred for children who weigh at least 31 pounds (14 kg) and can swallow tablets.
- For people with kidney disease: Your kidneys may not process lamivudine from your blood quickly enough. Your doctor may prescribe you a lower dosage so that the drug level doesn’t get too high in your body.
Dosage for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection
Brand: Epivir-HBV
- Form: oral tablet
- Strengths: 100 mg
Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)
- Typical dosage: 100 mg once per day.
Child dosage (ages 2–17 years)
Dosage is based on your child’s weight. For children who need less than 100 mg per day, they should take the oral solution version of this drug.
- Typical dosage: 3 mg/kg once per day.
- Maximum dosage: 100 mg daily.
Child dosage (ages 0–1 years)
Dosage for children younger than 2 years has not been established.
Special dosage considerations
- For children and others who can’t swallow tablets: Children and others who can’t swallow tablets may take the oral solution instead. The dosage is based on body weight. Your child’s doctor will determine the dosage.
- For people with kidney disease: Your kidneys may not process lamivudine from your blood quickly enough. Your doctor may prescribe you a lower dosage so that the drug level doesn’t get too high in your body.
Disclaimer:
Information on this page is provided for general information purposes. You should not make a clinical treatment decision based on information contained in this page without consulting other references including the package insert of the drug, textbooks and where relevant, expert opinion. We cannot be held responsible for any errors you make in administering drugs mentioned on this page, nor for use of any erroneous information contained on this page.
External Link
Wikipedia contributors. (2020, October 19). Lamivudine. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23:11, November 24, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lamivudine&oldid=984386208