Hepatitis Treatment Treating Hepatitis B With Lamivudine By Charles Daniel Charles Daniel, MPH, CHES is an infectious disease epidemiologist, specializing in hepatitis. Learn about our editorial process Charles Daniel Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH on January 09, 2020 linkedin Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. Learn about our Medical Review Board Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH Updated on October 21, 2020 Print Lamivudine is an antiviral drug used to treat chronic hepatitis B. It's sold under the brand name Epivir-HBV as well as the brand name Epivir for treating HIV infection, usually in combination with other antiviral drugs. Science Picture Co / Getty Images In fact, Lamivudine was originally developed as a drug treatment for HIV and was then found to be an effective antiviral for the treatment of hepatitis B. The goal of treating chronic hepatitis B is to contain the virus's replication and thereby prevent liver damage. There currently is no generic version of this drug in the United States. Most doctors in the United States do not usually use lamivudine as a first-choice therapy for patients with hepatitis B (HBV), as there are other drugs that are more effective, and most people develop drug resistance in one to two years. However, it may be a good choice for select individuals. One of the advantages of lamivudine compared to other treatment options is that it is relatively inexpensive: One year of treatment with lamivudine for hepatitis B can cost around $865. However, drug costs vary considerably based on many factors, such as whether you have health insurance, where you live and which pharmacy you use. How Lamivudine Is Taken Lamivudine is available in liquid form and as a pill. The drug is usually taken daily for one year, and it can be taken with or without food. The typical dosage may be adjusted for those with kidney problems. Side Effects A rare and potentially fatal condition called lactic acidosis can develop in patients taking lamivudine. Patients taking lamivudine who experience the following symptoms should get emergency medical help: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in the arms and legs, breathing trouble, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired. If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medication, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using lamivudine. Visit your doctor regularly. In addition, it is important not to switch between various preparations of lamivudine, and care should be taken each time a refill is given that the same preparation is given. Epivir tablets and liquid contain a higher dose of the drug than Epivir-HBV. Finally, those on the drug may also experience drug resistance, meaning that the drug may over time become less effective. Who Should Not Take Lamivudine Anyone who is allergic to lamivudine shouldn't take this drug. Also, it's important to know your HIV status because taking lamivudine can significantly complicate treating HIV. If you have HIV and HBV, do not start therapy for either infection without consulting a physician experienced in treating both infections. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. WHO. Recommendations: First-line antiviral therapies for chronic hepatitis B. In: Guidelines for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of Persons with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection. Updated March 2015. Jung TY, Jun DW, Lee KN, et al. Fatal lactic acidosis in hepatitis B virus-associated decompensated cirrhosis treated with tenofovir: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(25):e7133. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000007133 Additional Reading U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Hepatitis B and C Treatments. Updated May 14, 2018. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Label: Lamivudine tablet. Updated June 22, 2017.