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Compare Tivicay vs. Epivir

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

Key takeaways

Tivicay (dolutegravir) and Epivir (lamivudine) are both medications used to treat HIV, but they work differently and have some distinct features. They are taken with other HIV antiretrovirals to make up a complete treatment regimen.Tivicay is an integrase inhibitor that blocks an enzyme HIV uses to insert its genetic material into your cells, while Epivir is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that blocks a different enzyme called reverse transcriptase. Tivicay is only available as a brand-name medication, whereas Epivir has both brand and generic forms. Tivicay can be used for people as young as 4 weeks old, while Epivir is approved for children 3 months and older. Additionally, Epivir is also used to treat hepatitis B, but Tivicay is not. Common side effects of Tivicay include trouble sleeping and headaches, while Epivir often causes headaches, nausea, and tiredness. Both medications require regular blood tests to monitor their effectiveness and safety.

  • Tivicay (dolutegravir)
    Lamivudine (Epivir)
  • Tivicay (dolutegravir)
    Lamivudine (Epivir)

  • Summary of Tivicay vs. Epivir

    Summary for HIV ARV
    Prescription only

    Tivicay (dolutegravir) is a medication that's used as part of an antiretroviral (ARV) regimen for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Some side effects can include trouble sleeping, tiredness, and headache, but they aren't very common with this medication. Tivicay (dolutegravir) comes as two different formulations: a tablet that you swallow whole and a tablet that you mix in water to make into a liquid solution. Tivicay (dolutegravir) is only available as a brand-name medication; there's no generic at this time.

    Summary for Antiretroviral (ARV)
    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 of Tivicay vs. Epivir

    Indications for
    •Treatment of HIV infection in people aged 4 weeks and older
    Indications for
    •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 of Tivicay vs. Epivir

    Pros and Const for HIV ARV
    Pros
    •Can take with or without food
    •Available for adults and children at least 4 weeks old and weighing at least 7 pounds
    •Has an oral tablet formulation that can be dissolved in water and taken as a solution (Tivicay PD), so it's convenient if you have trouble swallowing pills
    Cons
    •Interacts with a lot of medications, such as some other HIV medications, anti-seizure medications (e.g., oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)), and antacids
    •Can't take with dofetilide (Tikosyn) because of risk of serious side events
    •Not recommended for use if you have severe liver problems
    Pros and Const for Antiretroviral (ARV)
    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 of Tivicay vs. Epivir

    Common Side Effects for

    The following side effects were reported in adults taking this medication with other HIV ARVs. Side effects might differ in children.

    •Higher lipase levels (up to 11%)
    •Higher blood sugar levels (up to 9%)
    •Higher creatine kinase levels in the blood (up to 7%)
    •Abnormal liver labs (up to 5%)
    •Trouble sleeping (up to 3%)
    •Headache (up to 2%)
    •Feeling tired (up to 2%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •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 of Tivicay vs. Epivir

    Common Side Effects for
    •Allergic reaction
    •Liver problems
    •Overactive immune system
    •Interactions with other medications
    •Harm to unborn baby
    Common Side Effects for
    •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

  • Prices with our coupons for Tivicay vs. Epivir

    Learn more about Tivicay
    Learn more about Lamivudine

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