Lamivudine
Brand names
- Combivir
- Epivir
- Epivir HBV
- Heptovir
Usage
To treat chronic, active HBV
(hepatitis B
virus)
infection.
How it works
Lamivudine interferes with the
activity of enzymes needed
for the replication of DNA in
viral cells, thus preventing HBV from reproducing.
Side effects
- Serious
- Severe stomach or abdominal
pain;
nausea; vomiting;
unusual fatigue;
fever; chills;
sore throat;
numbness,
burning, tingling, or pain in hands, arms, legs or feet; breathing
difficulty; itching;
hives; skin rash; swelling of face, mouth,
lips, throat, or tongue. Seek medical help immediately if
any of these side effects arise.
- Common
- No common side effects are associated with lamivudine.
- Less common
- Mild to moderate abdominal pain, diarrhea,
dizziness,
cough,
headache, mild nausea or vomiting,
insomnia,
loss of hair.
Possible interactions
- Other medicaments:
Lamivudine taken concurrently with:
- cotrimoxazole (Septra, Bactrim) may increase lamivudine
blood levels.
- indinavir (Crixivan) and zidovudine (AZT) resulted in undetectable HIV
levels in some HIV positive patients.
- nelfinavir (Viracept) may increase lamivudine levels.
- other medicines capable of causing pancreatitis may result in increased
pancreatitis risk.
- other medicines capable of lowering white or red cell counts may
cause additive risks.
- sulfamethoxazole (various) may increase lamivudine levels.
- trimethoprim (various) may increase lamivudine levels.
- trimexate (Mexate) may cause additive blood (hematological) toxicity.
- Herbal medicines or minerals:
- Milk thistle has some data to support its role as an
antioxidant and may help promote liver cell regeneration. Talk to your
doctor if lamivudine is being used to treat the infection of hepatitis B and you
are considering milk thistle. Echinacea: some patients use Echinacea to
attempt to boost their immune systems. Unfortunately, use of
Echinacea is not
recommended in people with damaged immune systems. This herb may
also actually weaken any immune system if it is used too often or for too
long a time.
- Discontinuation:
- Do not stop this medicament without your physician's knowledge and
guidance.
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