Generic Epivir

Description

Active Ingredient

This medicine Lamivudine is a synthetic nucleoside analog that has activity against hepatitis B virus and HIV. This active component is phosphorylated to its active metabolites, lamivudine triphosphate, and lamivudine monophosphate. In the condition of HIV, L-TP works by inhibiting HIV-1 reverse transcriptase through DNA chain termination after incorporation of the nucleoside analog into viral DNA.

Indications

This medication is indicated with other HIV drugs to control HIV infection. Epivir helps to reduce the amount of HIV in the body so the immune system can work better. This decreases the chance of getting HIV complications like new infections, cancer and improves the quality of life. This medication belongs to a group of medicines known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors-NRTI.

Action Mechanism

Given medicine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor is often used to treat similar conditions. This drug doesn’t cure infection with HIV or HBV. But it helps lower the speed of progression of these conditions by limiting the ability of the viruses to replicate i.e. make copies of themselves. To replicate and spread in the body, HIV and HBV require to use an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. Epivir blocks this enzyme to prevent HIV and HBV from producing copies as quickly, slowing down the spread of the viruses. When this drug is indicated on its own to treat HIV, it can result in drug resistance. It should be used in combination with at least two other antiretroviral drugs to control HIV infection.

Side Effects

• Headache
• Nausea
• Stomach Pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Rash

Interaction

• Acyclovir
• Ganciclovir
• Allopurinol
• Famciclovir

Dosages

This medication is available for oral consumption in dosages as given below:

• 100 mg: It should be taken with or without food, once or twice a day or as advised by the doctor
• 150 mg: This conventional tablet is to be consumed once or twice exactly as prescribed by the doctor.

Note

Do not consume alcoholic beverages; it may increase the risk of liver problems and/or pancreatitis.