What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- HIV or AIDs
- Kidney disease
- An unusual or allergic reaction to lamivudine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Breast-feeding
What may interact with this medication?
- Other lamivudine medications
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms get worse or if you have new symptoms.
You may need blood work done while you are taking this medication.
Hepatitis B is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your care team about how to stop the spread of hepatitis B.
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your care team. The symptoms of hepatitis B may worsen when you stop taking this medication. Your care team will check your liver and general health for several months after treatment is stopped.
Make sure you have the correct formulation of this medication. The products used to help manage HIV symptoms contain a higher dose of lamivudine than the products used to treat hepatitis B. It is important that you take the right dose. If you have both HIV and hepatitis B, you need to take the product for HIV. Taking the wrong dose can make HIV change, which can cause the medication to not work as well. This makes it hard to stay healthy.
What are the most serious risks of this medication?
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your care team. The symptoms of hepatitis B may worsen when you stop taking this medication. Your care team will check your liver and general health after treatment is stopped. You may need to take other medications if your hepatitis flares or returns.
Make sure you have the correct formulation of this medication. The products used to help manage HIV symptoms contain a higher dose of lamivudine than the products used to treat hepatitis B. It is important that you take the right dose. If you have both HIV and hepatitis B, you need to take the product for HIV. Taking the wrong dose can make HIV change, which can cause the medication to not work as well. This makes it hard to stay healthy.