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NAME
Lamivudine, 3TC |
BRAND
Epivir |
CLASS
Nucleoside analog (also called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, NRTI or nuke) |
COST
$3,435/yr., $286/month |
STANDARD DOSE
One 150 mg tablet twice a day, with no food restrictions. Does needs to be lowered for people who weigh less than 110 pounds (50kg); to 2 mg/kg (a kilogram equals 2.2 pounds) Strawberry/banana flavored liquid. Take missed dose as soon as possible, but do not double the dose. |
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Retinal changes, optic neuritis and peripheral neuropathy (tingling, burning, numbness or pain in the hands or feet, indicating nerve damage that is reversible but can be painful and permanently debilitating if not treated in time. Have periodic retinal exam. Headache, increased uric acids levels (indicating a number of disorders, including kidney damage and metabolic diseases.), and insomnia are other potential side effects. People with a history of peripheral neuropathy, pancreatic and heavy alcohol use should avoid Videx. Pancreatitis can be life threatening and is indicated by increased amylase and lipase levels in lab reports and pain in the stomach and back, along with nausea, vomiting and blood in the urine-risk increases with higher doses, advanced HIV, and alcohol use. Rare but potentially fatal toxicity with all NRTIs: pancreatitis (signs include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain that often spreads to the chest and back); lactic acidosis (seen mostly in women, especially obese women; greater risk for people with underlying liver disease; signs include deep muscle fatigue, especially in legs and difficulty breathing) and enlarge, fatty liver (called heptamegaly with steatosis; check for tenderness below the ribs on right side.) |
POTENTIAL DRUG INTERACTIONS
No significant interactions. |
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