Lamivudine : Before Using - Epivir, Epivir-HBV, 3TC, Heptovir

Lamivudine - Systemic

Brand Names

Epivir, Epivir-HBV, 3TC, Heptovir Lamivudine *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For lamivudine, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reaction to lamivudine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Lamivudine crosses the placenta. Studies in pets have shown that lamivudine causes birth defects when given in very high doses. Before taking this drug, make sure your family doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant. Ask your family doctor to register you with the Pregnancy Registry, to monitor the effect of treat on you and your baby.

Breast-feeding problem

Lamivudine passes into the breast milk. If your baby does not already have the AIDS virus, there is a risk that you could pass it to your baby by breast-feeding or your baby could have serious adverse reactions. Talk to your family doctor first if you are thinking about breast-feeding your baby.

Use for Children

Lamivudine can cause serious side effects. In one study, children with advanced AIDS were more likely than children who were less ill to develop pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas and peripheral neuropathy - a problem involving the nerves. Therefore, it is especially important that you discuss with your child's family doctor the good that this drug may do as well as the chance of using it. Your child must be seen frequently and your child's progress carefully followed by the family doctor while the child is taking lamivudine.

Elderly care

Lamivudine has not been studied specifically in elderly people. Therefore, it is not known whether it causes various side effects or problems in the elderly than it does in adults people. Talk to your family doctor first if you have liver, kidney, heart problems or other diseases. Your family doctor may need to adjust your dose.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking lamivudine, it is especially important that your health care professional knows if you are taking any of the following:

Lamivudine with zidovudine - Combivir Should not be using at the same time that you are taking lamivudine tablets or oral solution

Zalcitabine - Hivid May cause problems with how lamivudine or zalcitabine work when using together

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of lamivudine. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Combined infection of HIV and hepatitis B May make the condition of either of these infections worse

Diabetes mellitus - sugar diabetes Lamivudine oral solution contains sucrose

Hepatitis C
Hepatitis delta Caution must be using; lamivudine safety has not been determined in diseaseds who have hepatitis infections

Human immunodeficiency virus For diseaseds with hepatitis B virus, your physician will talk to you about HIV before you begin taking lamivudine. You may be tested for HIV. Lamivudine tablets and oral solution for hepatitis B virus contain lower amounts of the drug than the tablets and solution for HIV. If you start on the lower-dose medication and later learn that you have HIV, the higher-dose lamivudine may not then be effective against the infection causing by HIV.
Inflamed pancreas
Problems with inflamed pancreas in the past
Other risk factors for developing an inflamed pancreas
Nerve damage These conditions may occur or worsen when taking lamivudine

Kidney disease
Liver disease
chance factors for liver disease
Obesity - being overweight Patients with kidney disease may have an increased risk of side effects

Organ transplant Caution must be using; lamivudine safety has not been determined in diseaseds who have received an organ transplant