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General Medication Fact Sheet for Epivir
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Medication Name | Epivir |
| Generic Name | Lamivudine |
| Boxed/Label Warning | Exacerbations of hepatitis B can occur upon discontinuation in patients with HBV infection. Emergence of lamivudine-resistant HIV-1 has been observed. |
| Purpose | Antiretroviral medication used to treat HIV-1 infection and chronic hepatitis B. |
| Mechanism of Action | Inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and HBV polymerase by viral DNA chain termination after incorporation of lamivudine triphosphate. |
| Dosage Forms | Oral tablets, oral solution |
| Available Strengths | 150 mg, 300 mg (tablets); 5 mg/mL, 10 mg/mL (oral solution) |
| Dosage Frequency | Once or twice daily, depending on the indication and combination therapy. |
| Common Side Effects | Nausea, headache, diarrhea, fatigue, nasal signs and symptoms, cough. |
| Serious Side Effects | Lactic acidosis, severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, post-treatment exacerbation of hepatitis B, pancreatitis. |
| Drug Interactions | Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, zalcitabine, sorbitol (oral solution). |
| Important Notes | Monitor liver function regularly. Use with other antiretroviral medications for HIV treatment. Patients with HIV/HBV co-infection require close monitoring for HBV exacerbation if lamivudine is discontinued. |
| Storage | Store tablets and oral solution at room temperature, away from moisture and light. |
| Missed Dose | Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose. |
| Alternatives | Emtricitabine (Emtriva), Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread), Abacavir (Ziagen), Zidovudine (Retrovir) |
Epivir Alternatives
| Medication | Mechanism of Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emtricitabine (Emtriva) | Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) | Similar mechanism to lamivudine; often used in combination therapies. |
| Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread) | Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NtRTI) | Another NRTI, often combined with other antiretrovirals. |
| Abacavir (Ziagen) | Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) | Requires HLA-B*5701 testing before use to avoid hypersensitivity reactions. |
| Zidovudine (Retrovir) | Thymidine analogue NRTI | One of the oldest antiretroviral medications. |
Epivir Side Effects
| Common Side Effects | Serious Side Effects |
|---|---|
| Nausea | Lactic acidosis (symptoms include fatigue, muscle pain, difficulty breathing) |
| Headache | Severe hepatomegaly with steatosis (enlarged liver with fat accumulation) |
| Diarrhea | Post-treatment exacerbation of hepatitis B (in patients with HBV co-infection) |
| Fatigue | Pancreatitis (symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting) |
| Nasal signs and symptoms | Allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing) |
| Cough | Peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands and feet) |
Epivir Dosage Guide
| Condition | Starting Dose | Maintenance Dose | Administration Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIV-1 Infection (Adults) | 150 mg | 150 mg twice daily or 300 mg once daily (in combination with other antiretrovirals) | May be taken with or without food. |
| HIV-1 Infection (Pediatric Patients) | 4 mg/kg | 4 mg/kg twice daily or 8 mg/kg once daily (up to a maximum of 300 mg daily, in combination with other antiretrovirals) | May be taken with or without food. Adjust dose based on weight. |
| Chronic Hepatitis B (Adults) | 100 mg | 100 mg once daily | May be taken with or without food. Duration of treatment depends on the patient’s response. |
Epivir Price With And Without Insurance
| Purchase Context | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| With Insurance | $50 – $150 |
| Without Insurance (U.S.) | $1,000 – $1,200 |
| From CPS | $377.95 |
