Epivir

Generic Name: Lamivudine

Epivir is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in the body.
The Epivir brand of lamivudine is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Lamivudine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. The Epivir-HBV brand of lamivudine is used to treat chronic hepatitis B. Epivir-HBV should not be used in people who are infected with both hepatitis B and HIV. It works by blocking the ability of the hepatitis B virus to multiply and infect new liver cells.

Important information
Epivir should not be taken together with Combivir, a medication that contains a combination of lamivudine and zidovudine. Epivir may cause lactic acidosis (the build up of lactic acid in the body). Symptoms can start slowly and gradually get worse: unusual muscle pain and weakness, trouble breathing, fast or uneven heart rate, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and numbness or cold feeling in your arms or legs. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms, even if they are only mild. Epivir can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver or pancreas. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms while taking this medication: severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, fast heart rate, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Before taking Epivir, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, a history of pancreatitis, or if you have used a medicine similar to Epivir in the past, such as abacavir (Ziagen), didanosine (Videx), stavudine (Zerit), tenofovir (Viread), zalcitabine (Hivid), or zidovudine (Retrovir).

If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking Epivir, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function on a regular basis for several months after you stop using this medication. Do not miss any scheduled visits.
Epivir tablets and liquid contain a higher dose of lamivudine than Epivir-HBV. Epivir is for treating HIV and Epivir-HBV is for treating hepatitis B. Each time you get a refill of this medication, be sure you have received the correct brand to treat your condition.

Side Effects
diarrhea; dizziness; general body discomfort; headache; loss of appetite; mild mouth pain or swelling; muscle or joint pain; nausea; runny/stuffy nose; stomach pain or cramps; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting.