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.
