Epivir HBV
(Lamivudine)Epivir HBV Overview
Epivir HBV is used with other HIV medications to help control HIV infection. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body so your immune system can work better. This lowers your chance of getting HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improves your quality of life. Lamivudine belongs to a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors-NRTI. Lamivudine is not a cure for HIV infection. To decrease your risk of spreading HIV disease to others, continue to take all HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Use an effective barrier method (latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams) during sexual activity as directed by your doctor. Do not share personal items (such as needles/syringes, toothbrushes, and razors) that may have contacted blood or other body fluids. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Epivir HBV Warnings
If you have hepatitis B infection along with HIV, your hepatitis symptoms may get worse or become very serious if you stop taking lamivudine. Talk with your doctor before stopping Epivir HBV. Your doctor will perform liver function tests for several months after you stop lamivudine. Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of worsening liver problems. Different brands of Epivir HBV have different amounts of drug. Do not switch brands of Epivir HBV without first checking with your doctor. If you have HIV infection (with or without hepatitis B infection), you should be taking the higher-strength dosage. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How to Use Epivir HBV
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking lamivudine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take Epivir HBV by mouth with or without food, usually once or twice daily or as directed by your doctor. The Dosage of Epivir HBV is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, the Dosage of Epivir HBV is also based on weight. It is very important to continue taking Epivir HBV (and other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses. Do not increase your dose, take Epivir HBV more often than prescribed, or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects. For the best effect, take Epivir HBV at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take Epivir HBV at the same time(s) every day.
Epivir HBV Precautions
Before taking lamivudine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Epivir HBV may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Epivir HBV, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,pancreatitis, kidney problems, liver problems (such as hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis), alcohol use. Avoid alcoholic beverages because they may increase your risk for liver problems and/or pancreatitis. Epivir HBV may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Caution is advised when using Epivir HBV in children because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the increased risk of pancreatitis. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using Epivir HBV. Treatment can lower the risk of passing HIV infection to your baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Lamivudine passes into breast milk. Because breast milk can transmit HIV, do not breast-feed.
Epivir HBV Misdose
If you miss a dose of Epivir HBV, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Epivir HBV Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.orlistat, sorbitol. Emtricitabine is similar to lamivudine and should not be taken with Epivir HBV. Check the labels on all your HIV medicines because they may contain the same ingredients as found in Epivir HBV. Taking too much of these drugs will not necessarily improve your condition, and may cause more side effects.
Epivir HBV Side Effects
Headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, or trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that Epivir HBV has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Epivir HBV do not have serious side effects. Rarely, lamivudine has caused severe (sometimes fatal) liver problems and a buildup of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis). These serious side effects may occur more often in women and obese patients. Get medical help right away if you have any of the following serious symptoms,symptoms of liver problems (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine), symptoms of lactic acidosis (such as deep/rapid breathing, drowsiness, nausea/vomiting). As your immune system gets stronger, it can begin to fight off infections you already had, possibly causing disease symptoms to come back. You could also have symptoms if your immune system becomes overactive. This reaction may happen at any time (soon after starting HIV treatment or many months later). Get medical help right away if you have any serious symptoms,unexplained weight loss, severe tiredness, muscle aches/weakness that doesn't go away, headaches that are severe or don't go away, joint pain, numbness/tingling of the hands/feet/arms/legs, vision changes, signs of infection (such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, trouble breathing, cough, non-healing skin sores), signs of an overactive thyroid (such as irritability, nervousness, heat intolerance, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, bulging eyes, unusual growth in the neck/thyroid known as a goiter), signs of a certain nerve problem known as Guillain-Barre syndrome (such as unsteadiness, loss of coordination, trouble swallowing/speaking/chewing, trouble moving your eyes). Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects,mental/mood changes (such as depression), stomach/back pain with nausea (pancreatitis), easy bleeding/bruising, signs of anemia (unusual tiredness, rapid heartbeat, pale/bluish skin). A very serious allergic reaction to Epivir HBV is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction,rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Epivir HBV Storage
Different brands of Epivir HBV have different storage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Epivir HBV when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
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