Zeffix

The recommended oral dose of Lamivudine for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults is 100 mg once daily.

Lamivudine is a synthetic nucleoside analogue. Lamivudine is phosphorylated intracellularly to lamivudine triphosphate. Incorporation of the monophosphate form into viral DNA occurs by hepatitis B virus (HBV) polymerase. As a result DNA chain is terminated. Lamivudine triphosphate also inhibits the RNA and DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activities of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). Lamivudine triphosphate is a very weak inhibitor of mammalian alpha, beta, and gamma-DNA polymerases.

Several serious adverse events reported with lamivudine (lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, post treatment exacerbations of hepatitis B, pancreatitis, and emergence of viral mutants associated with reduced drug susceptibility and diminished treatment response). Malaise, fatigue, fever, ENT infections, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, pain, diarrhea, myalgia, arthralgia, headache, skin rashes may occur. Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, have been reported.

Lamivudine is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to any of the components of the product.

Patients should be assessed before beginning treatment and during treatment with lamivudine by a physician experienced in the management of chronic hepatitis B.

Trimethoprim 160 mg / Sulfamethoxazole 800 mg once daily has been shown to increase lamivudine exposure (AUC). The effect of higher doses of trimethoprim /sulfamethoxazole on lamivudine pharmacokinetics has not been investigated.