Lamivudine Side Effects: An Introduction
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with
lamivudine (
Epivir®); however, not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with lamivudine. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of lamivudine side effects with you.)
Side Effects With Lamivudine to Report
Some side effects with lamivudine, while occurring infrequently, are potentially serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. These include, but are not limited to:
- A tender or swollen abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- A rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- Rapid breathing
- Symptoms of lactic acidosis (too much lactic acid in the blood), such as:
- Feeling tired or weak
- Muscle pain
- Trouble breathing
- Stomach pain
- Feeling cold
- Cold or blue hands and feet
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- A slow or irregular heartbeat
- Persistent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- An enlarged or tender liver
- Weight loss
- Unusual bruising or bleeding, which may be a sign of low platelets in the blood
- Signs of liver damage, such as yellow eyes or skin (jaundice) or upper right abdominal pain
- Changes in the distribution of fat on your body (such as a "buffalo hump")
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including unexplained rash, hives, itching, unexplained swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
