Today more and more people hear a terrible diagnosis - HIV. This pathology has become very common over the past few decades. Antiretroviral therapy is a prerequisite for prolonging the life of such patients. Lamivudine, the instructions for use of which will be discussed in detail below, is one of those drugs that are used in combination HIV treatment.
General description and composition
The presented medicine is antiviral and is used in the complex treatment of HIV. Most often, the drug is used in the form of white tablets. The most important component of the drug is lamivudine. In one tablet it contains 100 or 300 mg. Among the accompanying components, one can distinguish the following: sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol.
The tablets are manufactured in a shell. The drug is sold in packs of 10, 30 or 60 tablets.
Also, the medication is in the form of a solution for oral administration.
pharmachologic effect
If you need Lamivudine, the instructions for use (the description you have already considered) speaks of its action: the main substance quickly penetrates through the membrane into the cell and is metabolized. As a result of the reaction, an HIV transcriptase inhibitor appears that inhibits the proliferation of harmful cells. The drug appears highly active to those strains that are not affected by other drugs.
In addition, the agent is highly active against the hepatitis B virus. That is, it can be included in the complex therapy of liver pathologies. However, it should be taken only with the permission of the doctor.
Since the substance is taken orally, its absorption occurs in the digestive tract. Moreover, the bioavailability level reaches 86%. If you take tablets with food, then keep in mind that in this case, the time to reach the highest concentration of the drug in the blood plasma increases.
It leaves with urine unchanged. The main component may partially pass into breast milk. It is advisable to stop feeding during treatment. The half-life of the drug is 3-5 hours.
Indications and contraindications
If you want to buy Lamivudin (Lamivudinum), the use of this substance is possible in such cases:
1. During the complex treatment of HIV in children and adults.
2. Viral hepatitis B (chronic form).
However, not everyone is allowed to take this drug. If you are prescribed Lamivudine, the instructions for use warns of the following contraindications:
• Immunity to the components of the drug.
• Poor absorption of lactose.
• Children's age or low body weight. You can not give the drug to a child under 3 years of age, as well as to those patients whose weight has not reached 14 kg.
• There are problems with the cleansing function of the kidneys (less than 30 ml / min creatinine clearance).
• The period of carrying and feeding the child.
You should be careful with the use of the drug in such cases:
• The patient has been diagnosed with severe renal failure.
• Neuropathy (peripheral) in acute form or history.
• Pancreatitis.
Dosage features, special instructions and drug interaction
Lamivudine (the instructions for using this drug is included with each package) can only be prescribed by a doctor who has experience in treating HIV. Eating does not affect the effect of the drug. Divide the tablet into parts is not worth it. It is better to swallow it whole, only in this case the maximum effect can be achieved.
If you need to take the drug "Lamivudin", the instructions for use provide for such use: for children after three years and adults whose weight exceeds 30 kg, you need to drink 1 tablet (150 g) 2 times a day or 1 capsule (300 mg) 1 time in a day. Children from 2 to 12 years of age are prescribed 3 mg / kg of weight once a day. It is best to listen to the light of the doctor. The specialist will prescribe the most optimal dosage, based on your tests, well-being and severity of the disease.
As for the interaction, we can say the following. For example, when taken with Zidovudine, the duration of the action increases. But "Zidovudine" does not affect the rate of elimination of "Lamivudine". This substance should not be taken in combination with Zalcitabine, Didanosine and sulfonamides because of the increased risk of developing pancreatitis.
Side effects
No matter how effective Lamivudin is, the instructions for use (the price of the drug is 4000 rubles per package or more) tells about these possible side effects:
1. Infectious pathologies of the respiratory system.
2. High degree of fatigue.
3. Pain in the head.
4. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
5. Increased concentration of liver enzymes.
6. Decreased appetite.
Do not adjust the dose yourself. There is a specific treatment regimen that should not be violated.
Analogs, reviews, especially the storage of the drug
If for some reason the drug described above is not suitable for you, you can use analogues. Among them are the following: Amiviren, Virolam, Zeffix, Epivir. They have a similar effect.
The shelf life of the drug is 3 years. Keep the product in a place protected from light rays. There should be no heaters near. In addition, it is advisable to remove the drug from the room where there is a high level of humidity.
As for the reviews, they are different. On the one hand, patients report a good efficacy in the fight against HIV. On the other hand, they talk about the high risk of side effects. Most often, taking the drug provokes vomiting, severe fatigue. Since the presented agent is combined with other antiviral substances, the intensity of undesirable reactions may increase. Therefore, the doctor must prescribe the drug, as well as adjust its dosage.
Now you have all the information about Lamivudine. Instructions for use, price, reviews are now known to you. Be healthy!