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Truvada vs. Epivir

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

Key takeaways

Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) and Lamivudine (Epivir) are both antiretroviral medications used to treat HIV, but they have some key differences. Truvada is a combination of two drugs and is also used for HIV prevention (PrEP), while Lamivudine is a single medication that can treat both HIV and hepatitis B (HBV). Truvada is taken once daily, whereas Lamivudine can be taken once or twice daily depending on the condition being treated. Truvada is known to cause side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness, while Lamivudine commonly causes headache, nausea, and tiredness. Truvada requires regular blood tests to monitor kidney and liver health, and it can cause bone problems. Lamivudine also requires regular monitoring but has fewer interactions with other medications. Both medications can worsen hepatitis B if stopped suddenly, so it's important to follow your provider's instructions carefully.

Truvada

 

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Lamivudine

(Epivir)

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Summary for Truvada

Prescription only

Truvada, also known as TDF/FTC, is a combination medication that contains the antiretrovirals emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Truvada is used as part of an antiretroviral (ARV) regimen to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infections in adults and children. It's also preferred for HIV PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis or prevention). This medication works against HIV by stopping the virus from making copies of itself and spreading. Truvada tablets are taken by mouth once daily. Side effects when it's used for treating HIV include nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. And Truvada side effects when used for PrEP include headache and belly pain.

Indications for Truvada

Pros and Cons for Truvada

Pros

  • Only taken once a day
  • Available as a lower-cost generic medication
  • Is a complete regimen for HIV PrEP
  • 99% effective for preventing HIV infection from sex when used as prescribed for PrEP

Cons

  • Requires regular blood work and lab tests to make sure your liver and kidneys are healthy
  • Not a complete treatment for HIV (must take one other medication with it)
  • Can worsen hepatitis B if you stop taking the medication all of a sudden
  • More likely to cause bone problems than similar medications

Common Side Effects for Truvada

HIV treatment Note: Side effects for HIV treatment were reported by people taking Truvada with efavirenz (Sustiva).

  • Higher cholesterol levels (22%)
  • Higher creatine kinase levels (9%)
  • Feeling tired (9%)
  • Depression (9%)
  • Nausea (9%)
  • Diarrhea (9%)
  • Dizziness (8%)
  • Upper respiratory infections (8%)
  • Sinus infection (congestion; 8%)
  • Rash (7%)
  • Headache (6%)

HIV PrEP (prevention)

  • Headache (7%)
  • Belly pain (4%)
  • Lower weight (3%)

Warnings for Truvada

  • Worsening of hepatitis B infection
  • PrEP only for people who test negative for HIV
  • Kidney problems
  • Overactive immune system
  • Bone problems
  • Liver problems and lactic acidosis
  • Interaction with other medications

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

Prices with our coupons for Truvada vs. Epivir

Price Card Drug Icon
Emtricitabine/Tenofovir30 tablets / 200mg/300mg
$27.53$2,099.99
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Lamivudine30 tablets / 100mg
$101.39$438.30
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