Epivir HBV (Lamivudine HBV)

Do’s

• Take Epivir HBV exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider, usually once a day.
• Take it with or without food, according to your healthcare provider's instructions.
• Take it consistently at the same time each day to maintain a steady level of medication in your body.
• Do not skip doses.
• Continue taking Epivir HBV for the full duration prescribed by your healthcare provider, even if you feel better. Stopping early can lead to resistance or worsening of your condition.
• Report any new symptoms that develop during treatment to your healthcare provider.

Don'ts

• Don't take more or less medication than prescribed.
• Don't stop taking Epivir HBV without consulting your healthcare provider. This can cause a worsening of your hepatitis B infection or make the virus resistant to the medication.
• Don't share your medication with others.

Common Side Effects:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Tiredness
• General ill feeling
• Ear infection symptoms, such as ear pain or full feeling, trouble hearing, drainage from the ear, fussiness in a child
• Nose or throat infection symptoms, such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough

Serious Side Effects:

• Liver Problems: Rarely, lamivudine-HBV has caused severe (sometimes fatal) liver problems. Symptoms of liver problems may include nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, and dark urine.
• Allergic Reactions: Serious allergic reactions may occur, leading to symptoms such as rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.

This is not an exhaustive list, and other side effects may occur. If you experience any unusual or severe side effects while taking Epivir HBV,  contact your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Inform your healthcare provider if you have allergies to lamivudine or any other ingredients in Epivir-HBV.

Discuss your medical history with your healthcare provider before using Epivir-HBV, especially regarding:

• Pancreatitis
• HIV infection (Epivir-HBV is not for HIV treatment)
• Kidney disease
• Blood disorders
• Liver disease

Epivir-HBV may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Avoid activities requiring alertness (driving, operating machinery) until you can do them safely. Alcohol and marijuana can worsen these effects.

The liquid form of Epivir-HBV contains sugar (sucrose). If you are diabetic, discuss blood sugar monitoring with your healthcare provider.

Inform your healthcare provider about all medications you use, including Epivir-HBV, before surgery.

Children may be more susceptible to side effects, especially pancreatitis.

Epivir-HBV should only be used during pregnancy if absolutely necessary. Discuss risks and benefits with your healthcare provider.

Epivir-HBV has not been shown to prevent mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B.

Epivir-HBV passes into breast milk. Consult your healthcare provider before breastfeeding.

HIV counseling and testing are recommended before and during Epivir-HBV treatment. Epivir-HBV has a lower dose of lamivudine compared to HIV treatment. Using Epivir-HBV for undiagnosed HIV can lead to drug-resistant HIV strains.