• Hepatitis may worsen if this medicine is stopped. Close monitoring is needed when therapy is stopped. HIV testing may be suggested. Unrecognized or untreated HIV infection may be tough to treat after taking this medicine.
• This medicine may cause liver damage and a change in the acid levels in the blood. Closely review the section in this leaflet which lists when to call healthcare provider. Pregnancy, obesity, and/or prolonged therapy may increase the risk.
• This medicine does not mix well with some medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.
• If you have an allergy to lamivudine or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Use prescription as directed, even if feeling better.
• In HIV treatment, this medicine is usually taken with two other medicines.
• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills.
• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose, brand, or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.
• Store at room temperature.
• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Created: 2005-04-07 16:53:15.0
Modified: 2010-03-09 08:23:07.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• This medicine is used during labor in females who are infected with HIV and have not been treated.
• This medicine is used to treat hepatitis B infection.
• This medicine is used to treat HIV infection.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
All forms:
• Do not run out of this medicine.
• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you are being treated for both hepatitis B and AIDS, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
HIV infection:
• If medicine changes for HIV infection, make sure to ask healthcare provider about hepatitis B treatment.
• To protect against sexually-transmitted diseases, use a latex condom.
• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy in HIV disease.
• Breast-feeding is not recommended in HIV disease in the U.S.
Hepatitis B infection:
• To protect against sexually-transmitted diseases, use a latex condom.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
• Headache.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Diarrhea.
• Irritated pancreas can rarely occur.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Severe belly pain.
• Severe nausea or vomiting.
• Severe diarrhea.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
