Lamivudine tablets (HBV) is a synthetic nucleoside analogue with activity against HBV. The drug substance used in lamivudine tablets (HBV) is lamivudine in the form of lamivudine methanol solvate. The chemical name of lamivudine methanol solvate is (2R,cis)-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl) )2(1H)-pyrimidinone methanol solvate. It has a molecular formula of C 8 H 11 N 3 O 3 S• O.2 CH 4 O C 8 H 11 N 3 O 3 S and a molecular weight of 235.66 g/mol. It has the following structural formula: Lamivudine is a white to off-white powder. It is highly soluble in water. Lamivudine tablets (HBV) are for oral administration. Each tablet contains lamivudine methanol solvate equivalent to 100 mg of lamivudine and the inactive ingredients anhydrous lactose, colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, ferric oxide red, ferric oxide yellow, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol and titanium dioxide. Meets with USP dissolution test # 2

What kind of drug is lamivudine?

The FDA classifies lamivudine as a hepatitis b virus nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take lamivudine with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run lamivudine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is lamivudine sold under?

We track 2 lamivudine-containing products in the U.S.: Lamivudine and Epivir. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does lamivudine come in?

Across the brands we track, lamivudine is currently marketed as solution and tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic lamivudine?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic lamivudine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Lamivudine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Lamivudine is a hepatitis b virus nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Hepatitis B Virus Nucleoside Analog Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor
Treats: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Available as: Solution · Tablet
Sold as: 2 products — Lamivudine and Epivir
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $0 for a 30-count supply
Boxed warning: Boxed warning

How lamivudine is dosed

From the FDA label for Lamivudine (application ANDA202941). Other lamivudine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Adults: 100 mg, once daily. ( 2.2 ) Pediatric Patients aged 2 to 17 years: 3 mg per kg once daily up to 100 mg once daily. Prescribe oral solution for pediatric patients requiring less than 100 mg daily. ( 2.3 ) Patients with Renal Impairment: Doses of lamivudine tablets (HBV) must be adjusted in accordance with renal function. ( 2.4 ) Lamivudine tablets (HBV) should not be used with other medications that contain lamivudine or emtricitabine. ( 2.5 ) 2.1 HIV Counseling and Testing HIV counseling and testing should be offered to all patients before beginning treatment with Lamivudine tablets (HBV) and periodically during treatment because of the risk of emergence of resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and limitation of treatment options if lamivudine tablets (HBV) is prescribed to treat chronic hepatitis B infection in a patient who has unrecognized HIV-1 infection or acquires HIV-1 infection during treatment [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ]. 2.2 Recommended Dosage for Adult Patients The recommended oral dosage of lamivudine tablets (HBV) is 100 mg once daily. 2.3 Recommended Dosage for Pediatric Patients The recommended oral dosage of lamivudine tablets (HBV) for pediatric patients aged 2 to 17 years is 3 mg per kg once daily up to a maximum daily dosage of 100 mg. The oral solution formulation should be prescribed for patients requiring a dosage less…

Lamivudine side effects

The following adverse reactions are discussed in other sections of the labeling: Exacerbations of hepatitis B after discontinuation of treatment [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ]. Risk of emergence of resistant HIV-1 infection [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ]. Risk of emergence of resistant HBV infection [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3) ]. Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 ) ]. The most common reported adverse reactions in those receiving lamivudine tablets (HBV) (incidence greater than or equal to 10% and reported at a rate greater than placebo) were ear, nose, and throat infections; sore throat; and diarrhea. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Apotex Corp. at 1-800-706-5575 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Clinical Trials Experience in Adult Subjects with Chronic HBV Infection Clinical adverse reactions (regardless of investigator’s causality assessment) reported in greater than or equal to 10% of subjects who received lamivudine tablets (HBV) and reported at a…

Every lamivudine product we track (2)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Lamivudine products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Lamivudine Boxed warning	62/100	Prescription	Solution	Generic	$0	View →
2	Epivir

What lamivudine pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Lamivudine pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
TMT	150 mg	white	round	—
L300	300 mg	white	round	—
APO;LMV;150	150 mg	white	diamond	—
I;115	150 mg / 300 mg	white	capsule	—
GXFC3	150 mg / 300 mg	white	oval	—
C;60	150 mg / 300 mg

Combination products containing lamivudine

A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.

Frequently asked questions

What is lamivudine?: Lamivudine tablets (HBV) is a synthetic nucleoside analogue with activity against HBV. The drug substance used in lamivudine tablets (HBV) is lamivudine in the form of lamivudine methanol solvate. The chemical name of lamivudine methanol solvate is (2R,cis)-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl) )2(1H)-pyrimidinone methanol solvate. It has a molecular formula of C 8 H 11 N 3 O 3 S• O.2 CH 4 O C 8 H 11 N 3 O 3 S and a molecular weight of 235.66 g/mol. It has the following structural formula: Lamivudine is a white to off-white powder. It is highly soluble in water. Lamivudine tablets (HBV) are for oral administration. Each tablet contains lamivudine methanol solvate equivalent to 100 mg of lamivudine and the inactive ingredients anhydrous lactose, colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, ferric oxide red, ferric oxide yellow, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol and titanium dioxide. Meets with USP dissolution test # 2
What kind of drug is lamivudine?: The FDA classifies lamivudine as a hepatitis b virus nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take lamivudine with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run lamivudine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is lamivudine sold under?: We track 2 lamivudine-containing products in the U.S.: Lamivudine and Epivir. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does lamivudine come in?: Across the brands we track, lamivudine is currently marketed as solution and tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.