Epivir

Common use

Epivir 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). Lamivudine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Dosage and direction

Take Epivir exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You should not take Epivir (for treating HIV) together with Epivir-HBV (for treating hepatitis B). You may take this medicine with or without food. Lamivudine doses are based on weight. Your dose needs may change if the gains or loses weight.

Precautions

Tell your doctor if you have ever had: liver disease (especially hepatitis B or C, or a liver transplant); pancreatitis; kidney disease; or diabetes (liquid lamivudine contains 3 to 4 grams of sucrose per dose).
You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, if you've taken HIV medication for a long time, or if you are a woman. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Contraindications

You should not take Epivir if you are allergic to lamivudine.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, and use your medications properly to control your infection. HIV can be passed to your baby if the virus is not controlled during pregnancy.
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.

Possible side effect

Call your doctor at once if you have: pancreas problems - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate; or liver problems - swelling around your midsection, right-sided upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common Epivir side effects may include: nausea, diarrhea; headache; fever, tiredness, general ill feeling; ear infection - ear pain or full feeling, trouble hearing, drainage from the ear, fussiness in a child; or nose or throat infection - stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough.

Drug interaction

Avoid taking other medications that contain an ingredient called sorbitol, often used as a sweetener in liquid medicines. Ask your pharmacist if you are not sure a medicine contains this ingredient.

Missed dose

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use. Keep away from children.