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| Pronunciation |
|
 (la
MI vyoo
deen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Epivir®;
Epivir®-HBV™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Antiretroviral Agent, Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor
(Nucleoside) |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- This medicine may cause liver damage and a change in the acid
levels in the blood. Closely review the section in this leaflet which lists when
to immediately call your healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to lamivudine or any other part of the
medicine.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to treat HIV infection. It is usually taken with
2 other medicines.
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|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Lamivudine stops the HIV virus from increasing. It blocks reproduction
of the virus.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- The medicine must be taken exactly as directed.
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those
who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before
and after medicine is given.
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Do not run out of this medication. Get it refilled today!
- Monitor children for nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or fever.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Protect against sexual spread of disease. Use an effective method of
birth control. Talk with healthcare provider if you have questions.
- Has been used during labor in women who are infected with HIV.
- Do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking
this medicine.
- Breast-feeding is not recommended in HIV
disease.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Nasal signs, symptoms, cough.
- Dizziness. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require
you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects
you.
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| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Belly pain or tenderness.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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