Drug title

Epivir-HBV (Lamivudine)

Usage indications

Epivir-HBV is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, used to treat a chronic viral infection of the liver (hepatitis B). It works by slowing the growth of the virus. It is not a cure for hepatitis B and does not prevent the passing of hepatitis B to others.

Application mode

This drug is for inside intake one a day or in accordance with doctor’s indications.

This drug can be taken during or after meal. Mind strictly following doctor’s recommendations. Consult with your doctor to get detailed information Neither increase nor decrease, nor stop this drug intake without your doctor recommendations.

This drug efficiency and safety after one year of usage had not been studied. The optimum duration of this drug usage is unknown. Epivir-HBV is not suitable for the patients suffering from B hepatitis and AIDS. The AIDS test is recommended before, within and after treatment to define appropriate treatment mode. Consult with your doctor or pharmaceutist to get detailed information. Your condition worsening, therapy reaction decrease or virus steady strains can occur during or after treatment. Inform your doctor immediately on any symptoms arising during and after treatment.

Mechanism of action

Lamivudine (generic name for Epivir-HBV) is an analogue of cytidine. It can inhibit both types (1 and 2) of HIV reverse transcriptase and also the reverse transcriptase of hepatitis B. It needs to be phosphorylated to its triphosphate form before it is active. 3TC-triphosphate also inhibits cellular DNA polymerase. Lamivudine is administered orally, and it is rapidly absorbed with a bio-availability of over 80%. Some research suggests that lamivudine can cross the blood-brain barrier. Lamivudine is often given in combination with zidovudine, with which it is highly synergistic. Lamivudine treatment has been shown to restore zidovudine sensitivity of previously resistant HIV. Several mutagenicity tests show that lamivudine should not show a mutagenic activity in therapeutical doses.

Missed doses

Do not miss any Epivir-HBV intake. During single miss of doze intake it is necessary to take the doze as soon as possible. If the time of missed doze intake corresponds to the time of next doze intake the drug intake should be missed. The double dosage is prohibited for intake.

Storage

US product: Store pills at room temperature of 77 F degrees (25 С degrees) and keep away from light and humidity. Short term storage at the temperature of 59 -86 F degrees (15-30 C degrees) is not allowed. Store liquid for inside intake at room temperature of 68- 77 F degrees (20 -25 С degrees). Canada product: Store pills at the temperature of 36 - 86 F degrees (2 -30 С degrees). Store liquid for inside intake at room temperature of 59- 77 F degrees (15 -25 С degrees). Keep away from children and pets.

Precautions

Milk acid is accumulated in blood (lactic acid acidosis) and causes heavy liver diseases. Such cases had been registered during lamivudine  single usage or in combinations with other drugs used for AIDS treatment (zidovudine, ritonavir). 

Patients should be consulted and tested before and during Epivir HBV  intake. Lamivudine-HBV contains low dosage of lamivudine used for AIDS treatment. The usage of Epivir – HBV before making AIDS test and non-treated AIDS infection can cause the production of AIDS resistant strains. Consult with your doctor to get detailed information.  Inform your doctor about your medical history: AIDS, liver, kidney problems, blood diseases, pancreas, alcohol abuse, allergies (drug allergies). 

This drug can cause giddiness so be careful when doing attention requiring activity: driving or mechanisms operation.  Avoid alcohol abuse. Lamivudine in liquid form might contain sugar (sucrose), so the patients suffering from diabetes should be cautious when taking this drug. Strict control of sugar blood level is recommended during this drug intake.

Consult with your doctor to get detailed information. Children (especially children suffering from  pancreatitis) as they are more sensible to this drug influence. This drug intake during pregnancy should be done in case of severe necessity. Be sure to consult with your doctor on the advantages and risks. The transfer of B hepatisis from mother to child during this drug intake had not been detected. Consult  your doctor to get detailed information. Epivir HBV is absorbed by mother milk. Do not do breast feeding during this drug intake. Consult with your doctor before doing breast feeding.

Side effects

Nausea, vomiting, giddiness, headache, diarrhea. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache. Contact your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects persist or getting worse. Contact your doctor at once if any of  the following side effects occur: tiredness, sore throat, fever, mood changes, constant or heavy stomach pain, eyes or skin yellowing, dark urine. Inform your doctor at once if any of the following unusual side effects occur: rapid breathing, hands or legs twinge or dumbness. Allergic reactions to this drug are rare. Anyway inform your doctor immediately if this occurs. Allergic reaction symptoms are the following: rash, itch, edema, heavy giddiness, breathing problems. Contact your doctor if you have noticed other effects not listed above.

Additional information

Do not mix this drug with others. Pass laboratory or/and medical tests for your condition assessment. Store laboratory and medical prescriptions within several months after treatment.