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Overview: Lamivudine is used to treat certain people with long-term hepatitis B (liver inflammation due to an infection). Common side effects may include infections of the ear, nose, or throat, sore throat, common cold symptoms, or diarrhea. Serious side effects are less common, but may include liver problems or a build up of lactic acid in your blood. Taking lamivudine to treat hepatitis B does not keep you from being able to pass the infection to someone else. Follow your health care provider’s recommendations to reduce your risk of giving hepatitis B to anyone else.

Uses

What is lamivudine used for?

Lamivudine is commonly used to treat certain people with long-term (chronic) hepatitis B.

Lamivudine may not be the right medicine for some hepatitis B infections, depending on the virus causing the infection. Viruses in some locations may have developed resistance to lamivudine, which will make it not work as well.

Lamivudine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Lamivudine can also be used to treat HIV. See Lamivudine (Epivir) for more information.

How does lamivudine work (mechanism of action)?

Lamivudine is an antiretroviral that blocks an enzyme that hepatitis B needs to make copies of itself. This helps to lower the levels of the hepatitis B virus in your body to fight the infection.

How is lamivudine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Epivir-HBV

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 100 mg oral tablets

How should I store lamivudine?

Lamivudine should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of lamivudine?

The most common side effects of lamivudine are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Infection in the ear, nose, or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
  • Diarrhea

There may be other side effects of lamivudine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of lamivudine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of lamivudine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Lamivudine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking lamivudine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Lactic Acidosis. Lamivudine may cause lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in your blood), which can be serious. Females and people who are overweight may be at higher risk for this. Stop taking lamivudine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of lactic acidosis.

  • General ill feeling
  • Muscle pain
  • Trouble breathing
  • Drowsiness or dizziness
  • Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
  • Fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Feel cold, especially in your arms and legs

Liver Problems. Liver problems, including a big or fatty liver, can happen when taking lamivudine. In some cases, these liver problems can lead to death. Females and people who are overweight may be at higher risk for liver problems with lamivudine. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain, especially on your right side
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use lamivudine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take lamivudine.

  • Epivir HBV
  • Lamivudine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific lamivudine products they stock.

What should I know about lamivudine before using it?

Do not take lamivudine unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed. Missing doses, may lead to an increase in the amount of virus in your blood or make your infection harder to treat. Talk to your pharmacist or health care provider if you are having trouble taking your medicine as prescribed. If you want to stop taking lamivudine, talk with your health care provider. 

Do not share lamivudine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep lamivudine out of the reach of children.

Sometimes when you take lamivudine for long-term hepatitis B, the virus causing the infection can change and become resistant. This means lamivudine may no longer work to treat it. If this happens to you, you may have new or worsening hepatitis B symptoms. Keep all of your appointments, including lab work, while you are taking lamivudine. Tell your health care provider right away if you have new or worsening symptoms of hepatitis. Your health care provider may need to do lab tests to see if lamivudine is still the right medicine for you. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns. 

Taking lamivudine to treat long-term hepatitis B does not keep you from being able to pass the infection to someone else. Follow your health care provider’s recommendations to reduce your risk of giving hepatitis B to someone else. These may include things like using latex or polyurethane condoms every time you have sex or not sharing razors, toothbrushes, nail care tools, needles, or medical equipment. Talk to your health care provider if you have any questions. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using lamivudine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if lamivudine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

HIV Infection. If you are taking lamivudine for hepatitis B, tell your health care provider if you also have HIV. The usual dose of lamivudine for long-term hepatitis B is lower than the dose used for HIV. Also lamivudine, taken without other HIV medicines, is not an effective treatment for HIV. Follow your health care provider’s recommendations for HIV prevention strategies and HIV testing while you are taking lamivudine. If you get HIV while you are taking lamivudine for hepatitis B, you may be more likely to have a resistant HIV infection, meaning it is harder to treat. 

Kidney Problems. You may need to take a lower dose of lamivudine if your kidneys are not working as well as they should be. If there is a concern about the health of your kidneys, your health care provider may do tests to see what dose of this medicine you need.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Lamivudine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking lamivudine, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how lamivudine could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take lamivudine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

If you become pregnant while taking lamivudine, talk to your health care provider about registering for the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry. Your health care provider can register you by calling 800-258-4263. This registry collects safety information about the use of antiretroviral medicines during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. Lamivudine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop lamivudine.

Interactions

Does lamivudine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between lamivudine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect lamivudine, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infections.

Does lamivudine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking lamivudine.

  • Emtricitabine (Emtriva), which is a medicine used to treat HIV
  • Sorbitol, which is used a laxative used to help relieve constipation
  • Any medicine that has sorbitol it (sorbitol is used as a sweetener for many liquid medicines)

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with lamivudine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much lamivudine?

If you or someone else has used too much lamivudine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of lamivudine?

Missing doses of lamivudine can cause it to not work as well over time. So, it is important not to miss or skip doses.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take double or extra doses.