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Lamivudine
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Brand
Names: Epivir
Recommended
for: Lamivudine is used in combination with other medications
to treat human immunodeficiency virus in parents with acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome. It is also used to treat hepatitis B infection. It is
in a class of medications called nucleoside reverse transcriptase
inhibitors.
Special
Precautions: When used alone or in combination with other
antiviral medications, Lamivudine can cause serious liver damage
and acid acidosis. The prescribing physicial should be aware of
concurrent use of certain nonprescription medications such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
and vitamins. Pregnant women and women who are breast-feeding should
not take lamivudine.
Side
Effects: Common side effects include diarrhea, headache,
fatigue, chills, upset stomach, vomiting, anorexia, dizziness, trouble
sleeping, depression, stuffy nose, and cough. More rare, but possibly
more serious, effects include rash, stomach pain, vomiting (in children),
upset stomach (in children), fever, muscle pain, and numbess, tingling,
or burning in the fingers and toes. Long term use of lamivudine
unfortunately leads to emergence of a resistant hepatitis B virus
mutant. Despite this, this drug is used widely as it is relatively
well tolerated.
Source:
“Lamivudine.” <http://www.lamivudine.com/product_info.htm>
MedlinePlus. “Lamivudine.” <www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a696011.html>
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