WHAT IS LAMIVUDINE?

WHAT IS LAMIVUDINE?

Lamivudine (Epivir®), is a drug used as part of antiretroviral therapy (ART). It is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. Generic versions made by Ranbaxy and Aurobindo Pharma were approved in 2005 for sale outside the US. Lamivudine is also known as 3TC.

Lamivudine is a nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor, or nuke. These drugs block the reverse transcriptase enzyme. This enzyme changes HIV’s genetic material (RNA) into the form of DNA. This has to occur before HIV’s genetic code gets inserted into an infected cell’s own genetic codes.

WHO SHOULD TAKE LAMIVUDINE?

Lamivudine was approved as an antiretroviral drug (ARV) for people with HIV infection. It has been studied in adults and children over 3 months old.

There are no absolute rules about when to start ART. You and your health care provider should consider your CD4 cell count, your viral load, any symptoms you are having, and your attitude about taking ART. Fact Sheet 404 has more information about guidelines for the use of ART.

If you take lamivudine with other ARVs, you can reduce your viral load to extremely low levels, and increase your CD4 cell counts. This should mean staying healthier longer.

A different formulation of lamivudine has been approved for people with hepatitis B. Some people with HIV had their hepatitis B get worse after they stopped taking lamivudine. Get tested for hepatitis B before you start taking lamivudine to treat HIV. If you have hepatitis B and stop taking lamivudine, your health care provider should carefully monitor your liver function for several months.