Lamivudine 150mg tablets - hiv infection | (lamivudine) Tablets are for oral administration | Lamivudine/Zidovudine is an anti-HIV medicine that is used in the treatment of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It contains two medicines - lamivudine and zidovudine. Lamivudine/Zidovudine is used in combination with other anti-HIV medicines.Lamivudine (lam-iv-you-deen) is a medicine which is used in chronic hepatitis B infection and HIV infection.
The information in this Medicine Guide for Lamivudine varies according to the condition being treated and the particular preparation used.
Lamivudine 150mg tablets
Information specific to Lamivudine 150mg tablets when used in HIV infection
Lamivudine is an anti-HIV medicine that is used in the treatment of infection with human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV). It is used in combination with other anti-HIV medicines.
HIV weakens the body's immune system and reduces the body's ability to fight infections. Anti-HIV medicines do not kill the virus but they slow down or stop the HIV virus from making copies of itself. This allows the body's immune system to keep working and gives the body a chance to fight other infections. Anti-HIV medicines do not cure HIV infections or prevent you from getting other infections.
Anti-HIV medicines are most effective when taken in combination with other anti-HIV medicines. Combination therapy reduces the chances of the virus becoming resistant to a single medicine. Resistance to medicines makes HIV treatment more difficult. For HIV therapy to be effective and to reduce the chances of developing resistance to your medicine, it is important you take the full daily dose and take your medicines exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Some people with hepatitis B infection may find that their infection becomes worse when they stop taking the medicine lamivudine. Your prescriber may arrange for you to have tests to monitor your hepatitis for several months after stopping treatment with Lamivudine.
Treatment with anti-HIV medicines does not reduce the risk of passing the virus on to other people through sexual contact or through contact with blood. It is important you take precautions against passing HIV to other people.
Women who are infected with HIV should not breast-feed their babies as the virus may be passed to the baby.
Do not share your medicine with other people. It may not be suitable for them and may harm them.
The pharmacy label on your medicine tells you how much medicine you should take. It also tells you how often you should take your medicine. This is the dose that you and your prescriber have agreed you should take. You should not change the dose of your medicine unless you are told to do so by your prescriber.
If you feel that the medicine is making you unwell or you do not think it is working, then talk to your prescriber.
HIV weakens the body's immune system and reduces the body's ability to fight infections. Anti-HIV medicines do not kill the virus but they slow down or stop the HIV virus from making copies of itself. This allows the body's immune system to keep working and gives the body a chance to fight other infections. Anti-HIV medicines do not cure HIV infections or prevent you from getting other infections.
Some people with hepatitis B infection may find that their infection becomes worse when they stop taking the medicine lamivudine. Your prescriber may arrange for you to have tests to monitor your hepatitis for several months after stopping treatment with Lamivudine.
Treatment with anti-HIV medicines does not reduce the risk of passing the virus on to other people through sexual contact or through contact with blood. It is important you take precautions against passing HIV to other people.
Women who are infected with HIV should not breast-feed their babies as the virus may be passed to the baby.
Do not share your medicine with other people. It may not be suitable for them and may harm them.
The pharmacy label on your medicine tells you how much medicine you should take. It also tells you how often you should take your medicine. This is the dose that you and your prescriber have agreed you should take. You should not change the dose of your medicine unless you are told to do so by your prescriber.
If you feel that the medicine is making you unwell or you do not think it is working, then talk to your prescriber.
Lamivudine 150mg tablets
Information specific to Lamivudine 150mg tablets when used in HIV infectionPrint this medicine guide Can't read the PDF? Download Adobe Reader at adobe.com.
Quick links
- How to use your medicine – includes taking, storing and stopping your medicine, what to do if you take too much, plus the ingredients of your medicine.
- Warnings – covers the suitability of the medicine for you and side effects and interactions with other medicines.
- Your medicine and everyday activities – includes alcohol, your diet, complementary medicines and vitamins as well as driving.
- Family planning – provides advice about whether this medicine is suitable for you in pregnancy and breast feeding.
Your medicine
Lamivudine is an anti-HIV medicine that is used in the treatment of infection with human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV). It is used in combination with other anti-HIV medicines.
HIV weakens the body's immune system and reduces the body's ability to fight infections. Anti-HIV medicines do not kill the virus but they slow down or stop the HIV virus from making copies of itself. This allows the body's immune system to keep working and gives the body a chance to fight other infections. Anti-HIV medicines do not cure HIV infections or prevent you from getting other infections.
Anti-HIV medicines are most effective when taken in combination with other anti-HIV medicines. Combination therapy reduces the chances of the virus becoming resistant to a single medicine. Resistance to medicines makes HIV treatment more difficult. For HIV therapy to be effective and to reduce the chances of developing resistance to your medicine, it is important you take the full daily dose and take your medicines exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Some people with hepatitis B infection may find that their infection becomes worse when they stop taking the medicine lamivudine. Your prescriber may arrange for you to have tests to monitor your hepatitis for several months after stopping treatment with Lamivudine.
Treatment with anti-HIV medicines does not reduce the risk of passing the virus on to other people through sexual contact or through contact with blood. It is important you take precautions against passing HIV to other people.
Women who are infected with HIV should not breast-feed their babies as the virus may be passed to the baby.
Do not share your medicine with other people. It may not be suitable for them and may harm them.
The pharmacy label on your medicine tells you how much medicine you should take. It also tells you how often you should take your medicine. This is the dose that you and your prescriber have agreed you should take. You should not change the dose of your medicine unless you are told to do so by your prescriber.
If you feel that the medicine is making you unwell or you do not think it is working, then talk to your prescriber.
HIV weakens the body's immune system and reduces the body's ability to fight infections. Anti-HIV medicines do not kill the virus but they slow down or stop the HIV virus from making copies of itself. This allows the body's immune system to keep working and gives the body a chance to fight other infections. Anti-HIV medicines do not cure HIV infections or prevent you from getting other infections.
Anti-HIV medicines are most effective when taken in combination with other anti-HIV medicines. Combination therapy reduces the chances of the virus becoming resistant to a single medicine. Resistance to medicines makes HIV treatment more difficult. For HIV therapy to be effective and to reduce the chances of developing resistance to your medicine, it is important you take the full daily dose and take your medicines exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Some people with hepatitis B infection may find that their infection becomes worse when they stop taking the medicine lamivudine. Your prescriber may arrange for you to have tests to monitor your hepatitis for several months after stopping treatment with Lamivudine.
Treatment with anti-HIV medicines does not reduce the risk of passing the virus on to other people through sexual contact or through contact with blood. It is important you take precautions against passing HIV to other people.
Women who are infected with HIV should not breast-feed their babies as the virus may be passed to the baby.
Do not share your medicine with other people. It may not be suitable for them and may harm them.
The pharmacy label on your medicine tells you how much medicine you should take. It also tells you how often you should take your medicine. This is the dose that you and your prescriber have agreed you should take. You should not change the dose of your medicine unless you are told to do so by your prescriber.
If you feel that the medicine is making you unwell or you do not think it is working, then talk to your prescriber.
When to take your medicine
Some medicines work best if they are taken at a specific time of day. Getting the most benefit from your medicine can also be affected by what you eat, when you eat and the times at which you take other medicines.
Specific information on when to take Lamivudine can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with this medicine or on the medicine label. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about when to take your medicine.
Specific information on when to take Lamivudine can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with this medicine or on the medicine label. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about when to take your medicine.
How to take your medicine
Some medicines have specific
instructions about how to take them. This is because they work better
when taken correctly. These instructions can include getting the right dose and special instructions for preparing the medicine.
Specific information on how to take Lamivudine can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with this medicine or on the medicine label. Alternatively, you can request information about how to take your medicine from your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are having problems taking this form of Lamivudine, you should talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. They may be able to give you advice on other ways to take your medicine or other preparations that are easier for you to take.
Specific information on how to take Lamivudine can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with this medicine or on the medicine label. Alternatively, you can request information about how to take your medicine from your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are having problems taking this form of Lamivudine, you should talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. They may be able to give you advice on other ways to take your medicine or other preparations that are easier for you to take.
Taking too much of your medicine
Taking extra doses of some medicines can be harmful. In some cases even one extra dose can cause you problems. If you take extra doses of your medicine, you must get medical advice immediately. You may need a test to assess the effect of taking extra doses. This is because the effects of taking too much medicine are very complex so it is very important that you seek medical advice.
Contact your prescriber, pharmacist, specialist clinic or call 111 for advice.
Make sure you take all of your medicine containers with you if you are advised to go to hospital.
Contact your prescriber, pharmacist, specialist clinic or call 111 for advice.
Make sure you take all of your medicine containers with you if you are advised to go to hospital.
Stopping your medicine
If you are having any problems taking your medicine you must speak to your prescriber. If you are not having any problems taking this medicine then do not stop taking it, even if you feel better, unless advised to do so by your prescriber.
If you are in any doubt, contact your prescriber, pharmacist, specialist clinic or call 111.
If you are in any doubt, contact your prescriber, pharmacist, specialist clinic or call 111.
Looking after your medicine
The instructions on how you should keep your medicine are on the pharmacy label. It is a good idea to keep your medicine in the original container. This will help to keep your medicine in the best condition and also allow you to check the instructions. Do not take the medicine if the packaging appears to have been tampered with or if the medicine shows any signs of damage. Make sure that the medicine is out of the sight and reach of children.
Specific information on how to look after Lamivudine can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with this medicine or on the medicine label. Alternatively, you can request information about how to look after your medicine from your doctor or pharmacist.
You must not take the medicine after the expiry date shown on the packaging. If you have any unused medicine, return it to your pharmacist who will dispose of it safely.
Specific information on how to look after Lamivudine can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with this medicine or on the medicine label. Alternatively, you can request information about how to look after your medicine from your doctor or pharmacist.
You must not take the medicine after the expiry date shown on the packaging. If you have any unused medicine, return it to your pharmacist who will dispose of it safely.
Whether this medicine is suitable for you
Lamivudine is not suitable for everyone and some people should
never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is
important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history.
Furthermore the prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all for an infant under three months of age.
Over time it is possible that Lamivudine can become unsuitable
for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time
it appears that Lamivudine has become unsuitable, it is important that
the prescriber is contacted immediately.
Your prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all if you:
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have kidney problems
-
have liver problems or have risk factors for developing liver problems such as if you have hepatitis B or C infection, drink alcohol heavily or are a female and are overweight
-
have metabolic problems
-
have risk factors for developing lipodystrophy syndrome
As part of the process of assessing suitability to take this medicine a prescriber may also arrange tests:
Side-effects
A medicine is only made available to the public if the clinical trials have shown that the benefits of taking the medicine outweigh the risks.
Once a medicine has been licensed, information on the medicine's effects, both intended and unintended, is continuously recorded and updated.
Some side-effects may be serious while others may only be a mild inconvenience.
Everyone's reaction to a medicine is different. It is difficult to predict which side-effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or whether you will have any side-effects at all. The important thing is to tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you are having problems with your medicine.
Once a medicine has been licensed, information on the medicine's effects, both intended and unintended, is continuously recorded and updated.
Some side-effects may be serious while others may only be a mild inconvenience.
Everyone's reaction to a medicine is different. It is difficult to predict which side-effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or whether you will have any side-effects at all. The important thing is to tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you are having problems with your medicine.
Common: More than 1 in 100 people who take Lamivudine:
- cough
- diarrhoea
- difficulty sleeping
- fever
- hair loss
- headaches
- joint pain
- muscle problems
- nasal symptoms
- skin rash or rashes
- stomach cramps
- tiredness
Uncommon: More than 1 in 1000 people who take Lamivudine:
- abnormal laboratory test results
- blood and bone marrow problems
Rare: More than 1 in 10,000 people who take Lamivudine:
- angioedema
- liver problems or worsening of liver problems - some of these liver problems may be fatal in people with hepatitis B or C infection. People with hepatitis B may find that the hepatitis B infection gets worse if Lamivudine is stopped
- pancreatitis
- rhabdomyolysis
Very rare: Fewer than 1 in 10,000 people who take Lamivudine:
- neuropathy of the extremities
- paraesthesiae
The frequency of these side-effects is unknown:
- autoimmune problems such as Graves' disease - this may occur many months after starting treatment with Lamivudine.
- high levels of cholesterol or other lipids in the blood
- immune reactivation syndrome - this may occur shortly after starting treatment with Lamivudine. Seek medical advice if you get signs and symptoms of an infection shortly after starting anti-HIV therapy
- increased blood sugar levels
- lipodystrophy
- metabolic problems - some of these metabolic problems may affect the liver or the kidneys and may be fatal. Seek medical advice if you have nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, muscle weakness, breathing problems or if you generally feel unwell
- osteonecrosis - seek medical advice if you have joint aches, pain, stiffness or difficulty in moving
Taking other medicines
If you are taking more than one medicine they may interact with each other. At times your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, in other cases this may not be appropriate.
The decision to use medicines that interact depends on your specific circumstances. Your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, if it is believed that the benefits of taking the medicines together outweigh the risks. In such cases, it may be necessary to alter your dose or monitor you more closely.
Tell your prescriber the names of all the medicines that you are taking so that they can consider all possible interactions. This includes all the medicines which have been prescribed by your GP, hospital doctor, dentist, nurse, health visitor, midwife or pharmacist. You must also tell your prescriber about medicines which you have bought over the counter without prescriptions.
If you are taking Lamivudine and one of the above medicines or types of medicines, make sure your prescriber knows about it.
The decision to use medicines that interact depends on your specific circumstances. Your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, if it is believed that the benefits of taking the medicines together outweigh the risks. In such cases, it may be necessary to alter your dose or monitor you more closely.
Tell your prescriber the names of all the medicines that you are taking so that they can consider all possible interactions. This includes all the medicines which have been prescribed by your GP, hospital doctor, dentist, nurse, health visitor, midwife or pharmacist. You must also tell your prescriber about medicines which you have bought over the counter without prescriptions.
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medicines that contain emtricitabine
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other medicines that contain lamivudine
Complementary preparations and vitamins
Medicines can interact with complementary preparations and vitamins. In general, there is not much information available about interactions between medicines and complementary preparations or vitamins.
If you are planning to take or are already taking any complementary preparations and vitamins you should ask your prescriber whether there are any known interactions with Lamivudine.
Your prescriber can advise whether it is appropriate for you to take combinations that are known to interact. They can also discuss with you the possible effect that the complementary preparations and vitamins may have on your condition.
If you experience any unusual effects while taking this medicine in combination with complementary preparations and vitamins, you should tell your prescriber.
If you are planning to take or are already taking any complementary preparations and vitamins you should ask your prescriber whether there are any known interactions with Lamivudine.
Your prescriber can advise whether it is appropriate for you to take combinations that are known to interact. They can also discuss with you the possible effect that the complementary preparations and vitamins may have on your condition.
If you experience any unusual effects while taking this medicine in combination with complementary preparations and vitamins, you should tell your prescriber.
Driving and operating machinery
When taking any medicine you should be aware that it might interfere with your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Like all medicines Lamivudine can cause side effects. You should see how this medicine affects you and then judge if you are safe to drive or operate machinery. If you are in any doubt, talk to your prescriber.
Like all medicines Lamivudine can cause side effects. You should see how this medicine affects you and then judge if you are safe to drive or operate machinery. If you are in any doubt, talk to your prescriber.
Diet
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your prescriber may advise you to avoid certain foods.
In the case of Lamivudine:
-
there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when taking Lamivudine
Family planning and pregnancy
Most medicines, in some way, can affect the development of a baby in the womb. The effect on the baby differs between medicines and also depends on the stage of pregnancy that you have reached when you take the medicine.
You need to discuss your specific circumstances with your doctor to weigh up the overall risks and benefits of taking this medicine. You and your doctor can make a decision about whether you are going to take this medicine during pregnancy.
If the decision is that you should not have Lamivudine, then you should discuss whether there is an alternative medicine that you could take during pregnancy.
In the case of Lamivudine:
-
children born to mothers who took Lamivudine during pregnancy may need regular check-ups
If the decision is that you should not have Lamivudine, then you should discuss whether there is an alternative medicine that you could take during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Certain medicines can pass into breast milk and may reach your baby through breast-feeding.
Before you have your baby you should discuss breast-feeding with your doctor or midwife. They will help you decide what is best for you and your baby based on the benefits and risks associated with this medicine. If you wish to breast-feed you should discuss with your prescriber whether there are any other medicines you could take which would also allow you to breast-feed. You should not stop this medicine without taking advice from your doctor.
In the case of Lamivudine:
-
women who are taking Lamivudine should not breast-feed
Ingredients of your medicine
Medicines contain active
ingredients. They may also contain other, additional ingredients that
help ensure the stability, safety and effectiveness of the medicine.
They are also added to improve the medicine's taste and appearance and
to make it easier to take. Some may be used to prolong the life of the medicine.
This medicine contains lamivudine.
We are unable to list all of the ingredients for your medicine here. For a full list, you should refer to the patient information leaflet that comes with this medicine. You should check that you are able to take the ingredients of your medicine, especially if you have any allergies. You should also check whether any of these ingredients are known to have side-effects.
If you are not able to take any of the ingredients in your medicine, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist to see if they can suggest an alternative medicine. If you have reacted badly to Lamivudine before, do not take Lamivudine. Talk to your prescriber, pharmacist or nurse as soon as possible.
This medicine contains lamivudine.
We are unable to list all of the ingredients for your medicine here. For a full list, you should refer to the patient information leaflet that comes with this medicine. You should check that you are able to take the ingredients of your medicine, especially if you have any allergies. You should also check whether any of these ingredients are known to have side-effects.
If you are not able to take any of the ingredients in your medicine, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist to see if they can suggest an alternative medicine. If you have reacted badly to Lamivudine before, do not take Lamivudine. Talk to your prescriber, pharmacist or nurse as soon as possible.
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