Epivir
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Epivir
Epivir Side Effects Center
Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
Epivir (lamivudine) is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Lamivudine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. The Epivir-HBV brand of lamivudine is used to treat chronic hepatitis B. Epivir-HBV should not be used in people who are infected with both hepatitis B and HIV. It is an antiviral medication. This medication is available in generic form. Common side effects include headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, or trouble sleeping.
The recommended oral dose of Epivir in HIV-1-infected adults and adolescents over 16 years of age is 300 mg daily, administered as either 150 mg twice daily or 300 mg once daily, in combination with other antiretroviral agents. Epivir may interact with interferon-alfa, trimethoprim, or ribavirin. Tell your doctor all medications you use. During pregnancy, Epivir should be used only when prescribed. It is normal to prescribe HIV medicines for pregnant women with HIV. This has been shown to decrease the risk of giving HIV to the baby. This drug may be part of that treatment. Consult your doctor. This medication passes into breast milk. Because breast milk can transmit HIV, do not breast-feed.
Our Epivir (lamivudine) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is Patient Information in Detail?
Easy-to-read and understand detailed drug information and pill images for the patient or caregiver from Cerner Multum.
Epivir in Detail - Patient Information: Side Effects
Stop using lamivudine and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:
- liver damage - nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- lactic acidosis - muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, nausea with vomiting, and fast or uneven heart rate;
- pancreatitis - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
- peripheral neuropathy - numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet;
- easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, pale skin;
- white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
- any other signs of new infection.
Less serious side effects may include:
- cough;
- sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- joint or muscle pain;
- dizziness, headache, tired feeling; or
- changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Epivir (Lamivudine) »
What is Patient Information Overview?
A concise overview of the drug for the patient or caregiver from First DataBank.
Epivir Overview - Patient Information: Side Effects
Headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, or trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Some people may experience worsening of a previous medical condition (such as an old infection) as their immune systems improve, or develop new conditions because their immune systems have become overactive. This reaction may occur at any time (soon after starting HIV treatment or many months later). Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: unexplained weight loss, persistent muscle aches/weakness, joint pain, numbness/tingling of the hands/feet/arms/legs, severe tiredness, vision changes, severe/persistent headaches, signs of infection (such as fever, chills, trouble breathing, cough, non-healing skin sores), signs of an overactive thyroid (such as irritability, nervousness, heat intolerance, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, bulging eyes, unusual growth in the neck/thyroid known as a goiter), signs of a certain nerve problem known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (such as difficulty breathing/swallowing/moving your eyes, drooping face, paralysis, slurred speech).
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (such as depression), stomach/back pain with nausea (pancreatitis).
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: easy bleeding/bruising, signs of anemia (unusual tiredness, rapid heartbeat, pale/bluish skin).
Changes in body fat (such as increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas, decreased fat in the arms and legs) may occur while you are taking HIV medication. The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown. Discuss the risks and benefits of therapy with your doctor, as well as the possible role of exercise to reduce this side effect.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Read the entire patient information overview for Epivir (Lamivudine)»
What is Prescribing information?
The FDA package insert formatted in easy-to-find categories for health professionals and clinicians.
Epivir FDA Prescribing Information: Side Effects
(Adverse Reactions)
SIDE EFFECTS
Clinical Trials Experience
The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling:
- Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis [see Boxed Warning, WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS].
- Hepatic decompensation in patients co-infected with HIV-1 and Hepatitis C [see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS].
- Pancreatitis [see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS].
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Adults - Clinical Trials in HIV-1: The safety profile of EPIVIR (lamivudine) in adults is primarily based on 3,568 HIV-1-infected patients in 7 clinical trials.
The most common adverse reactions are headache, nausea, malaise, fatigue, nasal signs and symptoms, diarrhea and cough.
Selected clinical adverse reactions of in ≥ 5% of patients during therapy with EPIVIR (lamivudine) 150 mg twice daily plus RETROVIR® 200 mg 3 times daily for up to 24 weeks are listed in Table 3.
Table 3: Selected Clinical Adverse Reactions ( ≥ 5% Frequency) in Four Controlled Clinical Trials (NUCA3001, NUCA3002, NUCB3001, NUCB3002)
| Adverse Reaction | EPIVIR150mg Twice Daily plus RETROVIR (n = 251) | RETROVIR* (n - 230) |
| Body as a Whole | ||
| Headache | 35%: | 27% |
| Malaise & fatigue | 27% | 23% |
| Fever or chills | 10% | 12% |
| Digestive | ||
| Nausea | 33% | 29% |
| Diarrhea | 18% | 22% |
| Nausea & vomiting | 13% | 12% |
| Anorexia and/or decreased appetite | 10% | 7% |
| Abdominal pain | 9% | 11% |
| Abdominal cramps | 6% | 3% |
| Dyspepsia | 5% | 5% |
| Nervous System | ||
| Neuropathy | 12% | 10% |
| Insomnia & other sleep disorders | 11% | 7% |
| Dizziness | 10% | 4% |
| Depressive disorders | 9% | 4% |
| Respiratory | ||
| Nasal signs & symptoms | 20% | 11% |
| Cough | 18% | 13% |
| Skin | ||
| Skin rashes | 9% | 6% |
| Musculoskeletal | ||
| Musculoskeletal pain | 12% | 10% |
| Myalgia | 8% | 6% |
| Arthralgia | 5% | 5% |
| * Either zidovudine monotherapy or zidovudine in combination with zalcitabine. | ||
Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis was observed in 9 of the 2,613 adult patients (0.3%) who received EPIVIR (lamivudine) in the controlled clinical trials EPV20001, NUCA3001, NUCB3001, NUCA3002, NUCB3002, and NUCB3007 [see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS].
EPIVIR (lamivudine) 300 mg Once Daily: The types and frequencies of clinical adverse reactions reported in patients receiving EPIVIR (lamivudine) 300 mg once daily or EPIVIR (lamivudine) 150 mg twice daily (in 3-drug combination regimens in EPV20001 and EPV40001) for 48 weeks were similar.
Selected laboratory abnormalities observed during therapy are summarized in Table 4.
Table 4: Frequencies of Selected Grade 3-4 Laboratory Abnormalities in Adults in Four 24-Week Surrogate Endpoint Studies (NUCA3001, NUCA3002, NUCB3001, NUCB3002) and a Clinical Endpoint Study (NUCB 3007)
| Test (Threshold Level) | 24-Week Surrogate Endpoint Studies* | Clinical Endpoint Study* | ||
| EPIVIR plus RETROVIR | RETROVIR† | EPIVIR plus Current Therapy | Placebo plus Current Therapy‡ | |
| Absolute neutrophil count ( < 750/mm3) | 7.2% | 5.4% | 15% | 13% |
| Hemoglobin ( < 8.0 g/dL) | 2.9% | 1.8% | 2.2% | 3.4% |
| Platelets (< 50,000/mm3) | 0.4% | 1.3% | 2.8% | 3.8% |
| ALT( > 5.0xULN) | 3.7% | 3.6% | 3.8% | 1.9% |
| AST ( > 5.0 x ULN) | 1.7% | 1.8% | 4.0% | 2.1% |
| Bilirubin ( > 2.5 x ULN) | 0.8% | 0.4% | ND | ND |
| Amylase ( > 2.0 x ULN) | 4.2% | 1.5% | 2.2% | 1.1% |
| * The median duration on study was 12 months. † Either zidovudine monotherapy or zidovudine in combination with zalcitabine. ‡Current therapy was either zidovudine, zidovudine plus didanosine, or zidovudine plus zalcitabine. ULN = Upper limit of normal. ND = Not done. | ||||
The frequencies of selected laboratory abnormalities reported in patients receiving EPIVIR (lamivudine) 300 mg once daily or EPIVIR (lamivudine) 150 mg twice daily (in 3-drug combination regimens in EPV20001 and EPV40001) were similar.
Pediatric Patients - Clinical Trials in HIV-1: EPIVIR (lamivudine) Oral Solution has been studied in 638 pediatric patients 3 months to 18- years of age in 3 clinical trials.
Selected clinical adverse reactions and physical findings with a ≥ 5% frequency during therapy with EPIVIR (lamivudine) 4 mg/kg twice daily plus RETROVIR 160 mg/m2 3 times daily in therapy-naive ( ≤ 56 days of antiretroviral therapy) pediatric patients are listed in Table 5.
Table 5: Selected Clinical Adverse Reactions and Physical Findings ( ≥ 5% Frequency) in Pediatric Patients in Study ACTG3QIQ
| Adverse Reaction | EPIVIR plus RETROVIR (n = 236) | Didanosine (n = 235) |
| Body as a Whole | ||
| Fever Digestive | 25% | 32% |
| Digestive | ||
| Hepatomegaly | 11% | 11% |
| Nausea & vomiting | 8% | 7% |
| Diarrhea | 8% | 6% |
| Stomatitis | 6% | 12% |
| Splenomegaly | 5% | 8% |
| Respiratory | ||
| Cough | 15% | 18% |
| Abnormal breath sounds/wheezing | 7% | 9% |
| Ear, Nose, and Throat | ||
| Signs or symptoms of ears* | 7% | 6% |
| Nasal discharge or congestion | 8% | 11% |
| Other | ||
| Skin rashes | 12% | 14% |
| Lymphadenopathy | 9% | 11% |
| *Includes pain, discharge, erythema, or swellng of an ear. | ||
Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis, which has been fatal in some cases, has been observed in antiretroviral nucleoside-experienced pediatric patients receiving EPIVIR (lamivudine) alone or in combination with other antiretroviral agents. In an open-label dose-escalation study (NUCA2002), 14 patients (14%) developed pancreatitis while receiving monotherapy with EPIVIR (lamivudine) . Three of these patients died of complications of pancreatitis. In a second open-label study (NUCA2005), 12 patients (18%) developed pancreatitis. In Study ACTG300, pancreatitis was not observed in 236 patients randomized to EPIVIR (lamivudine) plus RETROVIR. Pancreatitis was observed in 1 patient in this study who received open-label EPIVIR (lamivudine) in combination with RETROVIR and ritonavir following discontinuation of didanosine monotherapy [see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS].
Paresthesias and Peripheral Neuropathies: Paresthesias and peripheral neuropathies were reported in 15 patients (15%) in Study NUCA2002, 6 patients (9%) in Study NUCA2005, and 2 patients ( < 1%) in Study ACTG300.
Selected laboratory abnormalities experienced by therapy-naive ( ≤ 56 days of antiretroviral therapy) pediatric patients are listed in Table 6.
Table 6: Frequencies of Selected Grade 3-4 Laboratory Abnormalities in Pediatric Patients in Study ACTG300
| Test (Threshold Level) | EPIVIR plus RETROVIR | Didanosine |
| Absolute neutrophil count ( < 400/mm3) | 8% | 3% |
| Hemoglobin ( < 7.0 g/dL) | 4% | 2% |
| Platelets ( < 50,000/mm3) | 1% | 3% |
| ALT( > 10xULN) | 1% | 3% |
| AST( > 10xULN) | 2% | 4% |
| Lipase ( > 2.5-xULN) | 3% | 3% |
| Total Amylase ( > 2.5 x ULN) | 3% | 3% |
| ULN = Upper limit of normal. | ||
Neonates - Clinical Trials in HIV-1: Limited short-term safety information is available from 2 small, uncontrolled studies in South Africa in neonates receiving lamivudine with or without zidovudine for the first week of life following maternal treatment starting at Week 38 or 36 of gestation [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Selected adverse reactions reported in these neonates included increased liver function tests, anemia, diarrhea, electrolyte disturbances, hypoglycemia, jaundice and hepatomegaly, rash, respiratory infections, and sepsis; 3 neonates died (1 from gastroenteritis with acidosis and convulsions, 1 from traumatic injury, and 1 from unknown causes). Two other nonfatal gastroenteritis or diarrhea cases were reported, including 1 with convulsions; 1 infant had transient renal insufficiency associated with dehydration. The absence of control groups limits assessments of causality, but it should be assumed that perinatally exposed infants may be at risk for adverse reactions comparable to those reported in pediatric and adult HIV-1-infected patients treated with lamivudine-containing combination regimens. Long-term effects of in utero and infant lamivudine exposure are not known.
Postmarketing Experience
In addition to adverse reactions reported from clinical trials, the following adverse reactions have been reported during postmarketing use of EPIVIR (lamivudine) . Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, estimates of frequency cannot be made. These reactions have been chosen for inclusion due to a combination of their seriousness, frequency of reporting, or potential causal connection to lamivudine.
Body as a Whole: Redistribution/accumulation of body fat [see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS].
Endocrine and Metabolic: Hyperglycemia.
General: Weakness.
Hemic and Lymphatic: Anemia (including pure red cell aplasia and severe anemias progressing on therapy).
Hepatic and Pancreatic: Lactic acidosis and hepatic steatosis, posttreatment exacerbation of hepatitis B [see Boxed Warning, WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS].
Hypersensitivity: Anaphylaxis, urticaria.
Musculoskeletal: Muscle weakness, CPK elevation, rhabdomyolysis.
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Epivir (Lamivudine) »
Additional Epivir Information
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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