Explanation

Lamivudine (also called Epivir) is a medicine used to fight HIV.

What does it do?

Lamivudine is an anti-viral medicine and it fights HIV. It is a type of reverse transcriptase inhibitor.

Lamivudine gives your immune system a chance to get stronger, which helps it to win the battle against HIV.

What does it look like?

Lamivudine comes as a tablet that you can take with a glass of water. It has a smooth coating on the outside that makes it easy to swallow.

If you can't swallow tablets, lamivudine also comes as a liquid that you can drink from a teaspoon.

When do I have to take it?

You will most probably need to take a dose of lamivudine twice every day. You take one dose in the morning and the other dose in the evening.

Your doctor will tell you when you should take your lamivudine.

But what if I don't feel like taking it?

If you don't take your lamivudine, your HIV will keep spreading, making it harder for your immune system to fight it.

Taking your medicine is the best way to help your immune system win the battle against HIV.

What should I do if I forget to take it?

If you forget to take your lamivudine, take it as soon as you remember. Then you should take your next dose as usual at the normal time.

If you miss a dose completely, don't take twice as much next time to catch up. Remember the three Ds: Don't Double Dose!

How much do I take?

How much lamivudine you take depends on how old you are and how much you weigh. Your doctor will tell you exactly how much you need to take.

You will need to take it twice every day.

Don't forget to take your lamivudine. Even if the adults looking after you forget - go and remind them!

What are the most likely side effects I might get?

Sometimes it's difficult to tell the difference between the side effects of lamivudine and illnesses you get because of HIV.

Some of the side effects you are most likely to get include:

Feeling or being sick

A sore tummy

Having diarrhoea (runny poo)

Headache

Aching joints

Coughing

Runny nose

Having a fever

Feeling tired

Feeling generally unwell

Getting a rash on your skin

Hair loss

Problems sleeping

You should tell your doctor if you have any side effects from lamivudine.

What other side effects might I get?

Some side effects that you are less likely to get if you take lamivudine include:

Not having enough red blood cells - this makes you feel tired

Not having enough white blood cell - this makes you more likely to have infections

Not having enough platelets - this makes you more likely to have bruises

You should tell your doctor if you notice any side effects from lamivudine.

Are there any other side effects that you haven't mentioned?

Very rarely, lamivudine can cause inflammation of your liver or pancreas. It can also make your muscles become weak.

Even more rarely, lamivudine might cause numbness and tingling in your arms or legs.

Lamivudine, and other medicines like it, can cause a condition called lactic acidosis, although this is only happens very occasionally. You usually get this after taking lamivudine for a few months. It can cause:

Fast and deep breathing

Drowsiness

Feeling and being sick

Sore tummy

Tell your doctor straight away if you have these or any other side effects.

Is it safe for me to take it?

Some conditions and illnesses can stop lamivudine from working properly. Before using lamivudine, you should tell your doctor if you have any of the following:

Hepatitis B or hepatitis C

Diabetes

Inflammation of your pancreas

Damage to any of your nerves

Kidney or liverproblems

Obesity (being very very overweight)

You should also tell your doctor if you have had an organ transplant, like a kidney transplant, for example.

Is it OK for me to take lamivudine even if I'm already taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to lamivudine.

Always tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any vitamins or herbal supplements you are taking.

Do I need to know anything else about lamivudine?

Lamivudine should always be taken with at least one other anti-viral medicine to treat HIV. Taking two drugs together like this is called combination therapy.

Combination therapy that includes lamivudine can cause changes in the shape of your body. You might get skinnier in some places (like around your arms and legs) and then get a bit fatter in other places (like around your tummy).

Some people who have combination therapy with drugs like lamivudine get something called osteonecrosis. In osteonecrosis the blood supply to your bones becomes cut off. At first this causes pain in your joints and can make it difficult for you to move.

If you notice these symptoms tell your doctor straight away.

What if I have any more questions?

If you have any other questions, you can ask your doctor, or chat to other people with HIV in the Medikidz forums and virtual world, Mediland.