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Epivir

Epivir Side Effects

Ally Tsai, PharmDAllison Gourley, PharmD
Reviewed by Ally Tsai, PharmD, Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on November 22, 2023

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • 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%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Belly pain and cramps
  • Indigestion
  • Feeling depressed
  • Skin rashes
  • Joint and muscle pain

Note: Side effects listed were reported by people who took [[EDITOR|DRUG_DISPLAY_NAME]] for HIV.

Epivir serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Serious liver problems: nausea, vomiting, not feeling hungry, pain in the right side of the stomach, yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin, dark-colored urine, light-colored stool
  • Too much lactic acid in the blood: weakness, tiredness, fast and shallow breathing, nausea, vomiting, fast heartbeat, confusion

Source: DailyMed

The following Epivir side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

bloating

blood in the urine or stools

blurred vision

chills

constipation

cough

dark urine

decreased appetite

diarrhea

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness

dry mouth

fast heartbeat

fast, shallow breathing

fever

flushed, dry skin

fruit-like breath odor

general feeling of discomfort

general tiredness and weakness

increased hunger

increased thirst

increased urination

indigestion

light-colored stools

loss of appetite

muscle cramps, pain, stiffness, or spasms

nausea

pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back

pinpoint red spots on the skin

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

right upper abdominal or stomach pain and fullness

skin rash, hives, or itching

sleepiness

stomach discomfort

tightness in the chest

troubled breathing with exertion

unexplained weight loss

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

upper right abdominal or stomach pain

vomiting

yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Belching

burning, tingling, numbness or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs

depression

general feeling of discomfort or illness

headache

heartburn

indigestion

joint pain

sensation of pins and needles

sore throat

stabbing pain

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

stuffy or runny nose

trouble sleeping

weight loss

Incidence not known

Hair loss or thinning of the hair

pale skin

sweating

weight gain around your neck, upper back, breast, face, or waist

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Why trust our experts?

Ally Tsai, PharmD
Reviewed by:
Ally Tsai, PharmD
Ally Tsai, PharmD, is a medication therapy management (MTM) pharmacist with 6 years of experience. As an MTM pharmacist, she helps people with complex medication regimens get the best results by conducting comprehensive medication reviews.
Allison Gourley, PharmD, is a kidney and pancreas transplant pharmacist at a teaching hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area. When she’s not educating patients about their immunosuppressants, she's actively involved in transplant research.

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