Basic
Informations
Epivir is an HIV medication.
It is in a category of HIV medications called
nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Epivir
prevents HIV from altering the genetic material of healthy CD4
cells. This prevents the cells from producing new virus and
decreases the amount of virus in the body.
Epivir, manufactured by ViiV Healthcare, was approved for the
treatment of HIV by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in
1995.
Epivir is available in pharmacies as a single drug, which is always
combined with other HIV drugs, or in three combination tablets:
Combivir (Retrovir and Epivir),
Trizivir (Retrovir, Ziagen, and Epivir),
or Epzicom (Ziagen and Epivir).
Epivir is also approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B
infection (Epivir HBV). The Epivir dose normally used to treat
hepatitis B is one 100mg tablet once a day. The dose used to treat
HIV is one 300mg tablet once a day, or one 150mg tablet every 12
hours. If you are infected with both HIV and hepatitis B, it is
important that you take the dose used to treat HIV.
Epivir must be used in combination with other HIV drugs.
Drugs
Interactions
TMP/SMX (Bactrim; Septra), a
treatment used to prevent Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), can increase
the amount of Epivir in the body. However, it is not necessary to
change the doses of either TMP/SMX or Epivir.
Epivir should not be taken at the same time as Emtriva or Truvada
(containing Viread and Emtriva). This is because Epivir and Emtriva
are very similar and it is not believed that combining these two HIV
drugs will make a regimen any more effective against the virus.
Similarly, Epivir should not be taken with other drugs that contain
lamivudine, such as Combivir, Epzicom or Trizivir.
Other drug interactions might be possible. However, it is believed
that Epivir can be safely taken at the same time as most drugs used
to treat HIV and AIDS-related complications.
Side
Effects
Lactic acidosis, which can be
fatal, and severe liver problems (fatty liver) have been reported in
people taking nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
These problems are more likely to occur in HIV-positive people
taking drug regimens that contain Zerit or Zerit and Videx (ddI). It
is possible that Ziagen can also cause these side effects. Contact
your doctor immediately if you experience nausea, vomiting, or
unusual or unexpected stomach discomfort; weakness and tiredness;
shortness of breath; weakness in the arms and legs; yellowing of the
skin or eyes; or pain in the upper stomach area. These may be early
symptoms of lactic acidosis or liver problems.
Rarely, Epivir can cause inflammation of the pancreas
(pancreatitis). Pancreatitis is a rare but serious side effect that
can be life-threatening in some cases. Notify your doctor
immediately if you develop symptoms of pancreatitis, including
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Another rare side effect of Epivir is peripheral neuropathy, which
can result in pain, tingling, numbness, or burning in the hands
and/or feet. Stopping Epivir and starting another NRTI that does not
usually cause peripheral neuropathy—for example, Retrovir or Ziagen—is
often the best way to stop peripheral neuropathy.
Other, less serious side effects may occur. Continue taking Epivir
and talk to your doctor if you experience a cough, dizziness,
fatigue, stomach discomfort, headache, and trouble sleeping. Epivir
has also been known to cause anemia (decreased red blood cell
function), hair loss, rash, and neutropenia (decreased neutrophils,
a type of white blood cell)
HIV drug regimens containing NRTIs, including Epivir, can cause
increased fat levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) in the blood,
abnormal body-shape changes (lipodystrophy; including increased fat
around the abdomen, breasts, and back of the neck, as well as
decreased fat in the face, arms, and legs), and diabetes. These side
effects of HIV drug therapy are reviewed in our lessons on
Lipodystrophy, Facial Lipoatrophy, and Risks To Your Heart (Hyperlipidemia).
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome.
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