lamivudine at a glance
Medicine class
Nucleoside analogue reverse-transcriptase inhibitor
Licensed roles
Combination treatment of HIV; selected adult chronic hepatitis B treatment
Taking with food
May be taken with or without food
Important point
Do not stop without specialist advice, particularly when hepatitis B is present
What is lamivudine used for?
Selected products are used for:
HIV infection in adults and children, as part of combination antiretroviral therapy—not alone.
Chronic hepatitis B in specified adults with compensated liver disease and active viral replication, where an antiviral with a higher barrier to resistance is unavailable or inappropriate.
Chronic hepatitis B with decompensated liver disease, with another antiviral without cross-resistance.
How does lamivudine work?
Inside cells, lamivudine is converted to an active triphosphate. It mimics a natural DNA building block and stops viral enzymes extending new viral DNA chains, reducing viral replication.
lamivudine preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 100 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg
How to take lamivudine
Take lamivudine exactly as prescribed. Do not change formulation without checking with the specialist team.
It can be taken with or without food.
Measure oral solution with the supplied oral syringe, not a household spoon.
Relevant HIV tablets may be crushed into a small amount of soft food or liquid and swallowed immediately if swallowing is difficult.
Check the label carefully: HIV and hepatitis B products and formulations are not automatically interchangeable.
lamivudine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache or difficulty sleeping
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort or diarrhoea
- Tiredness, malaise or fever
- Rash or itching
- Muscle or joint symptoms
- Cough or nasal symptoms during HIV treatment
Get urgent medical advice
- Allergic swelling of the face, mouth or throat
- Pancreatitis, which may cause severe persistent abdominal pain and vomiting
- Lactic acidosis
- Severe blood-cell abnormalities
- Severe muscle breakdown
- Hepatitis worsening during treatment or after withdrawal
lamivudine in pregnancy
Available pregnancy experience has not shown an increased risk of malformations, and lamivudine may be used when clinically needed. HIV or hepatitis B in pregnancy requires early specialist planning. Do not stop lamivudine without advice because hepatitis may recur or worsen.
lamivudine while breastfeeding
Advice depends on the infection. For hepatitis B, breastfeeding may be considered when the newborn receives appropriate infection-prevention care. With HIV, formula feeding is the safest option, although breastfeeding may sometimes be discussed under specialist supervision when viral load is undetectable. Lamivudine passes into breast milk, so decisions should involve the specialist team.
lamivudine interactions
Tell the specialist or pharmacist about prescribed, over-the-counter and liquid products. Important examples include:
Other lamivudine-containing products
Using more than one risks unintended duplication and should be avoided.
Emtricitabine
It is closely related to lamivudine and should not be taken concurrently.
Common questions about lamivudine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is lamivudine used for HIV or hepatitis B?
Both. Product and regimen determine the indication: HIV treatment uses lamivudine with other antiretrovirals, while selected tablets are licensed for specified adults with chronic hepatitis B.
Can lamivudine cure HIV or hepatitis B?
Lamivudine suppresses viral replication but is not a cure. Infection precautions and specialist follow-up remain necessary.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.