Epivir (Lamivudine) and/or alternatives

General Information On Epivir

Epivir is an important medication for the treatment and control of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). HIV patients are often asked to buy Epivir as it is prevents the HIV cells from multiplying in the body. Epivir is one of the brands that contain Lamivudine, which is the general name of the drug. Although this medication can help in controlling the spread of HIV in the body, it is not a cure for the condition. Thus, people who are HIV+ and on Epivir still need to take precautions to avoid spreading the disease to others.

Side Effects for Epivir

Epivir should not be taken by people who have contracted both HIV and hepatitis B. The side effects of Epivir can be severe at times. Epivir may cause lactic acidosis, which is the buildup of lactic acid in the body. The early symptoms can get worse, and may even result in death. They would begin slowly and worsen gradually with time. The mild symptoms of this drug include unusual muscle pain, weakness, breathing trouble, and nausea. Other symptoms are stomach pain and a cold feeling or numbness in the legs and arms. Apart from these symptoms, other side effects of Epivir may be a fast heartbeat and diarrhea. It can also give rise to severe stomach pain that spreads to your back, dark urine, loss of appetite, and yellowing of the eyes and skin. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately and stop Epivir treatment.

Precautions

If you have kidney disease, pancreatitis, or liver disease, inform your doctor about it. If you have been on any medication that had contents similar to Epivir, let your doctor know about the same. Some of these medications include Videx, Viread, Zerit, Ziagen and Retrovir. After a patient stops taking Epivir, liver disease symptoms may surface again, so make sure that you visit your doctor for regular checkups even after stopping the medication. Epivir can also be dangerous to an unborn baby, so make sure that you inform the doctor if you are pregnant.

Epivir Dosage

Epivir can be taken either as an oral solution or an oral tablet. The Epivir tablets have a larger dose of Lamivudine than the oral solution. The medication can be taken after or before food. Children below the age of 16 need to be given the Epivir oral solution. For children between the ages of 14 to 21, half a tablet of Epivir is the recommended dosage. The dose can also be changed based on renal function. Epivir 150 mg is available as a white scored tablet, and Epivir 300 mg is available in the form of gray tablets. One ml of Epivir oral solution contains 10 mg of Lamivudine.

Interactions

As mentioned before, Epivir should not be prescribed to hepatitis B patients. You should not buy Epivir if you already have used other medications containing Lamivudine or Emtricitabine. Examples include Epivir HBV tablets, Epivir oral solution, Atripla, Emtriva, Truvada and Trizivir. Epivir should not be used along with Combivir, another medication that is a combination of zidovudine and Lamivudine.

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