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Lamivudine Coupon - Lamivudine 150mg tablet

lamivudine

Generic Epivir
Used for HIV Treatment
Used for HIV Treatment

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.

Last reviewed on November 21, 2023
basics-icon

What is Lamivudine (Epivir)?

What is Lamivudine (Epivir) used 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

How Lamivudine (Epivir) works

Lamivudine (Epivir) is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). It blocks an enzyme (protein) found in HIV and HBV called reverse transcriptase that usually helps the virus make copies of itself. By blocking reverse transcriptase, lamivudine (Epivir) prevents HIV and HBV from making copies of itself and spreading.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsEpivir, Epivir HBV
Drug ClassAntiretroviral (ARV)
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Lamivudine (Epivir)?

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%)

Other 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 lamivudine (Epivir) for HIV.

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 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.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Lamivudine (Epivir)

thumbs-up

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

thumbs-down

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

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Lamivudine (Epivir)

pharmacist
  • If you're taking lamivudine (Epivir) for HIV, make sure to take it at the same time(s) every day with your other ARVs. Lamivudine (Epivir) can be taken with or without food, but pay attention to the food restrictions of your other HIV medications.

    • Make sure to get your routine blood tests done on time while you’re taking lamivudine (Epivir). This helps your provider make sure the medication is working for you and not causing side effects.

      • Since lamivudine (Epivir) can be used to treat both HIV and HBV infections, your provider might order lab tests before starting treatment to see if you have both viruses. Depending on your test results, your provider might raise your dose of lamivudine (Epivir) or add other medications to make sure your treatment is complete.

        • Let your provider or pharmacist know what medications you're taking or planning to take, including over-the-counter products and supplements. Lamivudine (Epivir) can interact with some medications, and these interactions can affect how well your medications work or how safe they are for you.

          • If you feel cold in your hands or feet, dizzy, weak, confused, nauseous, or have trouble breathing, belly pain, or a racing heart, get medical attention right away. These can be signs of a serious condition called lactic acidosis (high acid levels in the blood), which sometimes can require treatment in the hospital.

            • Talk to your provider before stopping lamivudine (Epivir) or any of your HIV medications. Doing so can cause the virus to spread and become harder to treat. And if you also have hepatitis B, stopping lamivudine (Epivir) suddenly can cause your hepatitis B infection to come back or worsen.

              • Tell your provider if your child experiences any changes in weight while taking lamivudine (Epivir) because the dose might need to be changed.

                • Lamivudine (Epivir) oral solution contains an oral sweetener called sucrose. Let your provider know if you've a history of diabetes before taking this medication.

                  faqs

                  Frequently asked questions about Lamivudine (Epivir)

                  Is lamivudine (Epivir) safe in pregnancy?
                  If you're pregnant, talk with your provider to see if lamivudine (Epivir) is a good option for you. Limited studies showed that lamivudine (Epivir) didn't raise the risk of birth defects if taken during pregnancy. In general, pregnant people who have HIV are recommended to start treatment as soon as possible to lower the risk of transferring the virus to the unborn baby. On the other hand, HBV clinical guidelines recommend treatment for only certain pregnant people with hepatitis B. If you choose to take lamivudine (Epivir) during pregnancy, you’re encouraged to enroll in the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR). This registry collects information about your and your baby’s health during treatment with lamivudine (Epivir).
                  Why is lamivudine (Epivir) called 3TC?
                  3TC is a 3 character abbreviation for lamivudine (Epivir). The shortened name is created base on the medication's chemical structure.
                  Can lamivudine (Epivir) cure hepatitis b?
                  No, lamivudine (Epivir) isn't a cure for hepatitis B. Currently, all available medications for hepatitis B can only slow down the development of serious liver problems, including liver cancer. Medications such as lamivudine (Epivir) can lower the amount of HBV in your body, which prevents the virus from spreading.
                  How effective is lamivudine (Epivir) for HIV?
                  Your provider typically prescribes lamivudine (Epivir) along with other antiretroviral medications to treat HIV. In general, the goal is to lower the amount of HIV in your body to the point where the virus is no longer detectable in lab work (undetectable viral load). Having an undetectable viral load helps keep your immune system working to protect you from infections. It also helps lower the risk of spreading HIV to others. In clinical studies that looked at how well lamivudine (Epivir) worked as part of a HIV ARV regimen, results showed that majority of people had either an undetectable viral load after about a year of treatment.
                  Is emtricitabine (Emtriva) the same as lamivudine (Epivir)?
                  Lamivudine (Epivir) is not the same as emtricitabine (Emtriva). Although both medications have similar chemical structures, you shouldn't take both at the same time since they're doing the same thing to lower the amount of HIV in your body. They're both first-choice medications to treat HIV, but only lamivudine (Epivir) is approved to treat HBV. Talk to your provider to discuss which one is the right treatment option for you.
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                  What are the risks and warnings for Lamivudine (Epivir)?

                  Lamivudine (Epivir) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                  risk-warning

                  Worsening of infection if you have HIV and hepatitis B

                  • Risk factors: Have hepatitis B and HIV | Stopping lamivudine (Epivir) | Severe liver problems

                    Lamivudine is available as both Epivir to treat HIV and Epivir HBV to treat hepatitis B virus (HBV). If you've both HIV and HBV, don't take Epivir HBV to treat your infections since the dose of the medication is too low to treat HIV. Taking the wrong dose can make it easier for HIV to change form and become harder to treat. Before you begin lamivudine (Epivir) treatment, your provider will test you for HBV and HIV. If you have both infections, your provider will make sure you're getting appropriate treatment for both HIV and HBV.

                    If you've both HIV and HBV, suddenly stopping lamivudine (Epivir) can also make your liver condition worse (also called an HBV flare-up). Don't stop taking lamivudine (Epivir) without talking with your provider first. Make sure to get your refills on time so that your treatment isn't interrupted. If you need to stop taking lamivudine (Epivir), your provider will follow up with you for several months after you stop treatment. They'll order blood work to check your liver for an HBV flare-up.

                    risk-warning

                    Liver problems and lactic acidosis

                    • Risk factors: Females | Larger body size | Hepatitis B or C

                      Lamivudine (Epivir) can cause a buildup of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis) and fatty liver. Both conditions can be life-threatening, and you might be more likely to experience them if you're female of larger body size. Make sure to get blood tests done while you take lamivudine (Epivir) so your provider can check your liver health. If you experience signs and symptoms of liver damage, such as upper right stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, or dark urine, talk with your provider right away. Also, let your provider know if you experience symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as feeling weak, muscle pain, and trouble breathing.

                      risk-warning

                      Pancreas problems

                      • Risk factors: Children | History of taking antiretrovirals | History of pancreas problems

                        In some rare cases, children who took lamivudine (Epivir) in clinical studies have reported inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Some common symptoms of an inflamed pancreas are upper stomach pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. If your child starts to feel any of these symptoms, contact their provider right away.

                        risk-warning

                        Overactive immune system - Epivir only

                        Taking lamivudine (Epivir) for HIV can cause changes to your immune system called immune reconstitution syndrome. This medical condition happens when your immune system becomes more active after you start lamivudine (Epivir) treatment. Your immune system begins to fight off different infections that it was too weak to fight off before you started treatment. In rare cases, your immune system might improve so much with treatment that it starts to attack normal cells in your body (autoimmune). You can develop immune reconstitution syndrome as early as during the first few weeks of lamivudine (Epivir) treatment or many months later. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having any new symptoms, such as fever, pain, hair loss, bulging eyes, or sweating, after starting lamivudine (Epivir).

                        risk-warning

                        Interaction with sorbitol - Epivir oral solution only

                        In clinical studies, children who take lamivudine (Epivir) oral solution with other antiretroviral oral solutions experience lamivudine (Epivir) not working as well to treat HIV. This is because most oral solutions contain sorbitol, a sweetener that can lead to a lower amount of lamivudine (Epivir) in their body. Because of this effect, consider using lamivudine (Epivir) tablets if your child weighs at least 14 kg (30 pounds). If your child needs to take lamivudine (Epivir) oral solution, their provider will order blood work more often to make sure this medication is working well.

                        dosage

                        Lamivudine (Epivir) dosage forms

                        The average cost for 30 tablets of 150mg of Lamivudine (Epivir) is $213.04 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 15.46% off the average retail price of $251.99.
                        bottle of oral solution
                        Bottle of oral solution
                        DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                        240ml of 10mg/ml1 bottle$116.42$116.42
                        tablet
                        Tablet
                        DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                        150mg30 tablets$213.04$7.10
                        300mg90 tablets$1239.27$13.77

                        Typical dosing for Lamivudine (Epivir)

                        HIV

                        Epivir, generic oral tablet, generic oral solution

                        • Adults and children (25 kg or more): The typical dose is 300 mg by mouth once daily or 150 mg by mouth twice daily.

                        • Children (ages 3 months and older): Your child's provider will determine the dose based on your child’s body weight.

                          • Children weighing between 20-24 kg: The typical dose is 225 mg by mouth once daily, or 75 mg by mouth every morning and 150 mg by mouth every evening.

                          • Children weighing between 14-19 kg: The typical dose is 150 mg by mouth once daily, or 75 mg by mouth twice daily.

                          • Children weighing under 14 kg: The typical dose is 10 mg/kg of body weight by mouth once daily, or 5 mg/kg of body weight by mouth twice daily.

                        HBV

                        Epivir HBV, generic oral tablet

                        • Adults: The typical dose is 100 mg by mouth once daily.

                        • Children ages 2-17 years: Your child's provider will determine the dose based on your child’s body weight. The typical dose is 3 mg/kg of body weight by mouth daily, up to a maximum of 100 mg.

                        Your dose might differ if you have kidney problems.

                        interactions

                        Interactions between Lamivudine (Epivir) and other drugs

                        Lamivudine (Epivir) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Lamivudine (Epivir). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                        Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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                        alternatives

                        What are alternatives to Lamivudine (Epivir)?

                        There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Lamivudine (Epivir). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                        Lamivudine (Epivir)
                        Used 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

                        $116.42 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        Used for:
                        • HIV treatment

                        $154.35 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        Used for:
                        • Treatment of HIV infection - people ages 2 years and older

                        • Treatment of chronic (long-term) hepatitis B - Brand Viread for people ages 2 years and older; generic for people ages 12 years and older

                        $54.66 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        images

                        Lamivudine (Epivir) images

                        Orange-Brown Oblong Apo And Lmv 100 - Lamivudine HBV 100mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Orange-Brown, Oblong Tablet Imprinted With "Apo" And "Lmv 100".Orange-Brown Oblong Apo And Lmv 100 - Lamivudine HBV 100mg Tablet
                        Yellow Oblong Gx Cg5 - Lamivudine HBV 100mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Yellow, Oblong Tablet Imprinted With "Gx Cg5".Yellow Oblong Gx Cg5 - Lamivudine HBV 100mg Tablet

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                        References

                        Best studies we found

                        Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2019). Lamivudine tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        Chartwell RX, LLC. (2023). Lamivudine- lamivudine oral solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        Clinical Info HIV.gov. (2022). Initial combination antiretroviral regimens for people with HIV.

                        View All References (11)

                        Clinical Info HIV.gov. (n.d.). Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS).

                        Clinical Info HIV.gov. (n.d.). Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI).

                        Ford, N., et al. (2013). Comparative efficacy of lamivudine and emtricitabine: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Public Library of Science One.

                        GlaxoSmithKline LLC. (2021). Epivir HBV- lamivudine tablet, film coated; lamivudine solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2024). Lamivudine- lamivudine tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        MedlinePlus. (2017). Fatty liver disease.

                        Sax, P. E. (2019). Learning the names of HIV drugs is horribly difficult — Here’s why. New England Journal of Medicine Journal Watch.

                        Terrault, N. A., et al. (2016). AASLD guidelines for treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Hepatology.

                        Thapa, S., et al. (2023). Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. StatPearls.

                        U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). Hepatitis B basic information.

                        ViiV Healthcare Company. (2020). Epivir- lamivudine tablet, film coated; lamivudine solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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