EPIVIR-HBV

Drug title

Epivir-HBV (Lamivudine)

Usage indications

Epivir-HBV is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, used to treat a chronic viral infection of the liver (hepatitis B). It works by slowing the growth of the virus. It is not a cure for hepatitis B and does not prevent the passing of hepatitis B to others.

Application mode

This drug is for inside intake one a day or in accordance with doctor’s indications.

This drug can be taken during or after meal. Mind strictly following doctor’s recommendations. Consult with your doctor to get detailed information Neither increase nor decrease, nor stop this drug intake without your doctor recommendations.

This drug efficiency and safety after one year of usage had not been studied. The optimum duration of this drug usage is unknown. Epivir-HBV is not suitable for the patients suffering from B hepatitis and AIDS. The AIDS test is recommended before, within and after treatment to define appropriate treatment mode. Consult with your doctor or pharmaceutist to get detailed information. Your condition worsening, therapy reaction decrease or virus steady strains can occur during or after treatment. Inform your doctor immediately on any symptoms arising during and after treatment.

Mechanism of action

Lamivudine (generic name for Epivir-HBV) is an analogue of cytidine. It can inhibit both types (1 and 2) of HIV reverse transcriptase and also the reverse transcriptase of hepatitis B. It needs to be phosphorylated to its triphosphate form before it is active. 3TC-triphosphate also inhibits cellular DNA polymerase. Lamivudine is administered orally, and it is rapidly absorbed with a bio-availability of over 80%. Some research suggests that lamivudine can cross the blood-brain barrier. Lamivudine is often given in combination with zidovudine, with which it is highly synergistic. Lamivudine treatment has been shown to restore zidovudine sensitivity of previously resistant HIV. Several mutagenicity tests show that lamivudine should not show a mutagenic activity in therapeutical doses.

Missed doses

Do not miss any Epivir-HBV intake. During single miss of doze intake it is necessary to take the doze as soon as possible. If the time of missed doze intake corresponds to the time of next doze intake the drug intake should be missed. The double dosage is prohibited for intake.

Storage

US product: Store pills at room temperature of 77 F degrees (25 С degrees) and keep away from light and humidity. Short term storage at the temperature of 59 -86 F degrees (15-30 C degrees) is not allowed. Store liquid for inside intake at room temperature of 68- 77 F degrees (20 -25 С degrees). Canada product: Store pills at the temperature of 36 - 86 F degrees (2 -30 С degrees). Store liquid for inside intake at room temperature of 59- 77 F degrees (15 -25 С degrees). Keep away from children and pets.