What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away over time. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.
- abdominal pain
- bone or joint pain
- canker sores
- chills
- cough
- decreased appetite
- depression
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- earache
- fatigue
- fever
- headache
- heartburn
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- muscle pain or cramping
- nasal congestion
- nausea
- runny nose
- shortness of breath or wheezing
- skin rash
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or tongue or inside the mouth
- sore throat
- tingling; burning; numbness; or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
- trouble sleeping
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
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Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Body fat: People taking this medication have noticed redistribution or accumulation of body fat. This can lead to a "buffalo hump" (fat deposits on the back), breast enlargement, or rounding of the abdomen or face. The cause and long-term effects of this problem are unknown.
Diabetes: People with diabetes need to know that 20 mL of lamivudine oral solution contains 4 g of sucrose.
HIV and hepatitis B co-infections:
- Severe worsening of hepatitis infection has been reported in people who are co-infected with HIV and hepatitis B after they stop taking lamivudine. Liver tests and symptoms of hepatitis (e.g., yellow eyes and skin, malaise) need to be monitored by the doctor for people who stop taking lamivudine.
- You should be aware that treatment of hepatitis B with lamivudine requires a lower dose than treatment for HIV. If you are taking lamivudine for hepatitis B and later learn that you have HIV, tell your doctor immediately. The dose of lamivudine used should be for the higher dose, which is for treating the HIV infection.
Kidneys: People with kidney disease may need a different dose of the medication. Be sure you tell your doctor if you have a history of kidney disease.
Lactic acid and liver: Lamivudine can cause a condition called lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid) and serious damage to the liver. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- dark yellow or brown urine
- excessive tiredness
- flu-like symptoms
- loss of appetite
- pain in the upper right part of the stomach
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- upset stomach
- weakness
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
Your doctor will order certain laboratory tests to check your response to this medication.
Other medical problems: The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of lamivudine. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially if you have an inflamed pancreas (particularly in children), nerve damage, kidney disease, or HIV infection.
Resistance to treatment: Rarely, people who are using lamivudine may see a decrease in their response to this medication. Your doctor may order certain laboratory tests to check how well you are responding to this medication.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking lamivudine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children less than 2 years of age.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between lamivudine and any of the following:
- co-trimoxazole (sulfamethoxazole)
- trimethoprim
- zalcitabine
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.