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Epivir vs. Stribild

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Lamivudine (Epivir) and Stribild (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) are both medications used to treat HIV. However, they belong to different medication classes and have distinct uses and characteristics. Lamivudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that is also approved for treating hepatitis B virus (HBV), while Stribild is a combination medication that includes an integrase inhibitor, two NRTIs, and a booster. Lamivudine is available in both tablet and oral solution forms and can be taken once or twice daily in combination with other HIV medications for treatment of HIV, whereas Stribild is a single-tablet regimen taken once daily with food. Lamivudine is available in generic form, while Stribild is not. Common side effects of lamivudine include headache, nausea, and fatigue, while Stribild may cause nausea, diarrhea, and abnormal dreams. Stribild has more drug interactions and is not recommended for people with kidney or liver problems, while lamivudine has fewer interactions but requires regular blood tests to monitor liver and kidney health.

Lamivudine

(Epivir)

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Stribild

 

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Summary for Epivir

Prescription only

Lamivudine (Epivir), also known as 3TC, is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). It's available as Epivir to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and Epivir HBV to treat hepatitis B virus (HBV). Both brands and their generic formulations can be used in adults and children. But they're not interchangeable so you can't take one brand in place of another. Lamivudine (Epivir) is taken by mouth, typically once or twice daily. Some common side effects of this medication include headache, nausea, and feeling tired.

Indications for Epivir

  • Treatment of HIV infection for people ages 3 months and older - brand and generic Epivir only
  • Treatment of chronic (long-term) hepatitis B for people ages 2 years and older - brand and generic Epivir HBV only

Pros and Cons for Epivir

Pros

  • Epivir HBV is considered a complete HBV treatment
  • Can take with or without food
  • Few interactions with other medications or supplements
  • Available in an oral solution form

Cons

  • Requires regular blood work and lab tests to make sure your liver and kidneys are healthy
  • Can worsen hepatitis B if you stop it all of a sudden
  • Oral solution contains sucrose (a sweetener), which shouldn't be used for people with diabetes
  • Epivir needs to be used with other ARVs to treat HIV

Common Side Effects for Epivir

  • Headache (35%)
  • Nausea (33%)
  • Feeling tired (27%)
  • Runny nose and congestion (20%)
  • Cough (18%)
  • Diarrhea (18%)
  • Nausea and vomiting (13%)
  • Nerve pain (12%)
  • Muscle pain (12%)
  • Trouble sleeping (11%)
  • Fever or chills (10%)
  • Lack of appetite (10%)
  • Dizziness (10%)

Warnings for Epivir

  • Worsening of infection if you have HIV and hepatitis B
  • Liver problems and lactic acidosis
  • Pancreas problems
  • Overactive immune system - Epivir only
  • Interaction with sorbitol - Epivir oral solution only

Summary for Stribild

Prescription only

Stribild is a single-tablet-regimen containing 3 HIV antiretrovirals (ARVs), elvitegravir (Vitekta), emtricitabine (Emtriva), and tenofovir DF (Viread), and one booster medication, cobicistat (Tybost).

Indications for Stribild

  • HIV treatment

Pros and Cons for Stribild

Pros

  • 1 tablet once a day is a full HIV regimen
  • Contains tenofovir, which is also a first-choice treatment option for hepatitis B
  • One of the few single-tablet-regimens that contains an integrase inhibitor (a preferred HIV ARV subclass)
  • In clinical trials, caused less abnormal dreams than Atripla
  • Gilead copay card available for people with commercial health plans (not for use with Medicaid and Medicare plans)

Cons

  • Must be taken with food
  • Dose can't be adjusted, so it's not recommended for people with kidney or liver problems
  • Can cause kidney and bone problems
  • Interacts with a lot of medications
  • Not a good option for people who are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant

Common Side Effects for Stribild

  • Nausea (16%)
  • Diarrhea (12%)
  • Abnormal, strange dreams (9%)
  • Headache (7%)

Warnings for Stribild

  • WORSENING OF HEPATITIS B
  • CHANGES IN KIDNEY FUNCTION
  • LIVER PROBLEMS
  • DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • BONE PROBLEMS
  • IMMUNE RECONSTITUTION SYNDROME

Prices with our coupons for Epivir vs. Stribild

Price Card Drug Icon
Lamivudine30 tablets / 100mg
$101.39$438.30
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Price Card Drug Icon
Stribild30 tablets / 150mg/150mg/200mg/300mg
$4,460.07$5,696.14
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