3TC | Lamivudine | Epivir | Doses, Side effects & User Review

What is 3TC?


3TC is a kind of antiretroviral medication named a nucleoside analogue (“nuke"). This drug can cause nausea, diarrhea, headache, vomiting and weakness; in any case, it causes few symptoms of side effects compared with numerous other antiretroviral medicines. It is typically taken at a dosage of 300 mg every day or 150 mg twice daily, with or without meal.

Lamivudine is a kind of anti-HIV (antiretroviral) medicine named a nucleoside analogue or "nuke." 3TC is utilized in combination with additional antiretroviral medications to treat (but not cure) HIV.




Working of 3TC:


If HIV infects your any cell, it takes control of that cell. Then HIV forces the cell to make develop more replicas of the virus. To make these replicas, the cell utilizes various proteins called viruses. At the point when the action of these proteins is decrease the production of HIV slows.

3TC interferes with a compound named reverse transcriptase (RT) that is utilized by HIV- infected cells to make new infection viruses. From the 3TC inhibits, or decrease, the action of this enzyme, this medication causes HIV--infected cells to make less HIV.

How do individuals with HIV use 3TC?


3TC is utilized combination with a various other antiretroviral medicines, generally including medicines from various classes, for example, protease inhibitors and/or non-nukes. Combinations like this are named antiretroviral treatment, or ART.

For some individuals with HIV, the utilization of ART has expanded their CD4+ cell counts and reduces the quantity of HIV in their blood. These advantage impacts help to decrease the chances of making a life-threatening infection. Not even 3TC or any other antiretroviral drug is cure for HIV. It is accordingly essential that you do the following:

  • Visit your doctor regularly;
  • Keep safety in sex;

3TC is one of the broadly utilized components of ART, because it is simple to take and one of the minimum harmful antiretrovirals. 3TC is additionally a part in a few “fixed-dose combinations” (Trizivir, Combivir and Kivexa) that group 3TC with different antiretrovirals in a one tablet.

Hepatitis B and Lamivudine: A 100 milligram formulation of lamivudine is likewise approved as a treatment for chronic hepatitis B infection.

Warnings about 3TC:


1. Lactic acidosis and hepatic steatosis: 2 related conditions, hepatic steatosis (excess fat in the liver) and lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in the blood), have happened in a few individuals who have utilized nucleoside analogues. They have generally been found in ladies and individuals who are overweight or who have been on nucleosides a long time, and can trigger the following signs:

  • Painful inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
  • Unexpected tiredness or weakness
  • Persistent abdominal pain
  • Nausea and/or vomiting

2. Hepatitis B: In case somebody infected with hepatitis B disease and taking 3TC, the hepatitis can turn out to be more terrible if the medication is stopped. You should consult with your doctor in such condition.

Dosing information about 3TC:


3TC doses should be taken as according to your medical expert or pharmacist.  

3TC is available as 150 milligram and 300 milligram tablets, and as an oral arrangement (10 milligram /milliliter). The typical standard adult dose of 3TC is either one 150 milligram tablet two time in a day or one 300 milligram tablet once every day. 3TC might be use with or without meal.

The fixed-dose combinations Trizivir, Kivexa and Combivir are single capsule which combine 3TC with different antiretrovirals, decreasing the quantity of pills that should be taken. Combivir combines 300 milligram AZT with 150 milligram 3TC into a solitary two-time-in-a-day pill. Trizivir holds the same combination as Combivir, in addition to 300 milligram abacavir (Ziagen). Kivexa holds 300 milligram 3TC in addition to 600 milligram abacavir.

Side effects of 3TC (Lamivudine):


3TC cause some side effects. Commonly reported Side effects are:


  • Headaches;
  • Diarrhea;
  • Tiredness;
  • Malaise;
  • Vomiting;
  • Discomfort;
  • Abdominal pain;
  • Coughing;
  • Nausea;

Less common, but more serious, side effects:

  • Tingling or burning sensation in the feet or hands;
  • Numbness;
  • Neutropenia;
  • Anemia;

Lipodystrophy disorder:The HIV lipodystrophy disorder is the name given to a scope of side effects that can develop after some time when individuals use ART regimens.There is no proof that 3TC reasons fat loss or adds to the lipodystrophy disorder. A few signs of the lipodystrophy disorder include:

  • Loss of fat simply under the skin in the arms, face and legs
  • Bulging veins in the legs or arms because of the loss of fat under the skin
  • Expanded waist;
  • Small lumps of fat in the abdomen
  • Fat pads at the back of the neck or at the base of the neck
  • Increased breast size (in female)

There is many other side effects may occur while you are using 3TCwhich are not listed in this guide. 

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