Epivir (lamivudine) is an antiviral medicine that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus cells from multiplying in your body.
Epivir is for treating HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Epivir-HBV is for treating hepatitis B. Epivir-HBV should not be used in people who are infected with both hepatitis B and HIV.
Important information
Epivir may cause a serious condition called lactic acidosis. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.
Epivir can also 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 and vomiting, fast heart rate, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
The Epivir brand of lamivudine (for treating HIV) should not be taken together with any other medicine that contains lamivudine or emtricitabine. This includes Atripla, Combivir, Complera, Emtriva, Epzicom, Stribild, Trizivir, and Truvada.
The Epivir-HBV brand of lamivudine (for treating hepatitis B) should not be taken together with any other medicine that contains lamivudine, which includes Combivir, Epivir, Epzicom, and Trizivir.
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 for several months after you stop using this medicine. Visit your doctor regularly.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take Epivir if you are allergic to lamivudine.
The Epivir brand of lamivudine (for treating HIV) should not be taken together with any other medicine that contains lamivudine or emtricitabine. This includes:
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Atripla (efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir);
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Combivir (lamivudine and zidovudine);
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Complera (rilpivirine, emtricitabine, and tenofovir);
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Emtriva (emtricitabine);
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Epzicom (abacavir and lamivudine);
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Stribild (cobicistat, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir);
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Trizivir (abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine); and
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Truvada (emtricitabine and tenofovir).
The Epivir-HBV brand of lamivudine (for treating hepatitis B) should not be taken together with any other medicine that contains lamivudine, which includes:
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Combivir (lamivudine and zidovudine);
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Epivir (lamivudine) for treating HIV;
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Epzicom (abacavir and lamivudine); and
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Trizivir (abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine).
To make sure lamivudine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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liver disease (especially hepatitis B if you are being treated for HIV), or if you had a liver transplant;
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kidney disease;
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a history of pancreatitis; or
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if you have used a medicine similar to lamivudine in the past, such as abacavir (Ziagen), didanosine (Videx), emtricitabine (Atripla, Complera, Emtriva, Stribild, Truvada), stavudine (Zerit), tenofovir (Viread), zalcitabine (Hivid), or zidovudine (Retrovir).
Some people taking Epivir develop a serious condition called lactic acidosis. This may be more likely in women, in people who are overweight or have liver disease, and in people who have taken HIV/AIDS medication for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your risk.
It is not known whether lamivudine will harm an unborn baby. HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of Epivir on the baby.
Lamivudine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Epivir to treat hepatitis B. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.
Epivir should not be given to a child younger than 2 years old.
If you have diabetes, you should know that the liquid forms of this medicine contain 3 to 4 grams of sucrose (sugar) per dose.
How should I take Epivir?
Take Epivir exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. You should not take Epivir (for treating HIV) together with Epivir-HBV (for treating hepatitis B).
Epivir can be taken with or without food.
You may need to break a tablet in half when giving this medicine to a child for HIV. Call your doctor if the child has any trouble swallowing the tablet.
If a child is using this medicine, tell your doctor if the child has any changes in weight. Lamivudine doses are based on weight in children, and any changes may affect your child"s dose.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
The Epivir brand contains a higher dose of lamivudine than Epivir-HBV brand. 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.
While using this medicine, you may need frequent blood tests. Your kidney and liver function may also need to be checked.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor"s advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the liquid form of this medicine to freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking Epivir. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using this medicine.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking Epivir?
Taking this medicine will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.
Epivir side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Epivir: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Some people develop lactic acidosis while taking Epivir. Early symptoms may get worse over time and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as:
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muscle pain or weakness;
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numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs;
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trouble breathing;
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feeling dizzy, light-headed, tired, or very weak;
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stomach pain, nausea with vomiting; or
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fast or uneven heart rate.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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pancreas problems - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate; or
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liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
Common Epivir side effects may include:
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diarrhea;
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cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; or
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abnormal liver function tests.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Epivir?
Other drugs may interact with lamivudine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some drugs should not be used together with Epivir. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
