What is the most important information I should know about Epivir?
- Before taking Epivir, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, a pancreas disorder, or problems with your muscles.
- Call your doctor at once if you have liver problems while you are using Epivir. Symptoms to watch for include stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, low fever, lost appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
- If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking Epivir, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver at regular visits for several months after you stop using this medication. Do not miss any scheduled visits.
- Swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis) may occur during treatment, especially in children using Epivir. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms of pancreatitis: sudden and severe pain in the upper middle or left side of your stomach, nausea and/ or vomiting, fever, chills, rapid pulse, or stomach pain that gets worse after eating or when lying down flat.
- Call your doctor at once if you have muscle pain or weakness, numbness or tingling in any part of your body, and nausea with vomiting. These could be signs of lactic acidosis.
- Epivir tablets and liquid contain a higher dose of Epivir than Epivir-HBV. Epivir is for treating HIV and Epivir-HBV is for treating hepatitis B. Each time you get a refill of this medication, be sure you have received the correct brand to treat your condition.
What is Epivir?
- Epivir is an antiviral medication. It is in a group of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medicines called reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Epivir helps keep the HIV virus from reproducing in the body.
- The Epivir brand of Epivir is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Epivir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. The Epivir-HBV brand of Epivir is used to treat chronic hepatitis B.
- Epivir may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Epivir?
- Before taking Epivir, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- pancreatitis; or
- problems with your muscles.
- If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may not be able to use Epivir or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
- If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking Epivir, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver at regular visits for several months after you stop using this medication. Do not miss any scheduled visits.
- If you have diabetes, you should know that the liquid forms of this medication contain 3 to 4 grams of sucrose (sugar) per dose.
- Epivir is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known if it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It is very important to treat HIV/ AIDS during pregnancy to reduce the risk of infecting the baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
- It is not known if Epivir passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus to the baby in your breast milk.
How should I take Epivir?
- Take this medication exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not use more of the medication than recommended. Do not take Epivir for longer than your doctor has prescribed.
- To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
- Epivir can be taken with or without food.
- To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid forms of Epivir with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
- Epivir tablets and liquid contain a higher dose of Epivir than Epivir-HBV. Epivir is for treating HIV and Epivir-HBV is for treating hepatitis B. Each time you get a refill of this medication, be sure you have received the correct brand to treat your condition.
- Treatment of HIV/ AIDS almost always requires using many medicines together. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
- To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
- Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. You may keep the oral solution (liquid) in the refrigerator but do not let it freeze.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. The symptoms of a Epivir overdose are not known.
What should I avoid while taking Epivir?
- Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes. Taking this medication will not keep you from passing HIV to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Epivir. Alcohol may increase the risk of damage to your pancreas or liver.
What are the possible side effects of Epivir?
- Stop using Epivir and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Call your doctor at once if you have any problems with your liver while you are using Epivir. Symptoms to watch for include stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, low fever, lost appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
- Swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis) may occur during treatment with Epivir, especially in children using this medication. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms of pancreatitis: sudden and severe pain in the upper middle or left side of your stomach, nausea and/ or vomiting, fever, chills, rapid pulse, or stomach pain that gets worse after eating or when lying down flat.
- Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:
- lactic acidosis — muscle pain or weakness, numb or tingly feeling, and nausea with vomiting;
- signs of a new infection — fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
- white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.
- Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk with your doctor if you have any of these side effects:
- changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk);
- sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;
- headache, dizziness; or
- a runny or stuffy nose.
- Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Epivir?
- Before taking Epivir, tell your doctor if you are also taking zalcitabine (Hivid) or ribavirin (Rebetol, Ribasphere, Copegus Virazole). There may be other drugs that can affect Epivir. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
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