Lamivudine (Cont.)

When and How to Take Lamivudine

General considerations for when and how to take lamivudine include the following:
 
  • Lamivudine comes in tablet and oral solution (liquid) form. These medications are usually taken by mouth once or twice daily.
     
  • It does not matter if you take lamivudine with food or on an empty stomach. If the medicine bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
     
  • Try to take lamivudine at the same time(s) every day to maintain an even level of the medication in your blood.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It is very important that you closely follow your healthcare provider's instructions about taking lamivudine. Missing doses can increase the chance of the virus developing resistance to lamivudine (making it less effective).
     

Lamivudine Dosage Information

The dose of lamivudine that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Whether you have HIV or hepatitis B
  • Your age
  • Whether you develop bothersome or dangerous side effects of lamivudine
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may currently be taking.
     
As always, do not adjust your lamivudine dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Lamivudine Dosing for more information.)
 

Lamivudine Drug Interactions

Lamivudine can interact with a few other medications (see Drug Interactions With Lamivudine).
 
(Lamivudine Continued: Page 4)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;