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Lamivudine

Also sold as: Epivir, Triumeq, Symfi, Cimduo, Delstrigo (+6 more)

Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase InhibitorsPrescription OnlyGeneric Available

Related Medications

Important: Only drugs listed as "Exact Equivalents" (FDA AB-rated) are confirmed interchangeable. All other listings are for informational reference only and do NOT indicate that drugs can be substituted without a physician's explicit guidance.

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Drug Information

Mechanism of Action

12.1 Mechanism of Action Lamivudine and zidovudine tablet is an antiretroviral agent [see Microbiology (12.4)].

Indications & Uses

1 INDICATIONS & USAGE Lamivudine and zidovudine tablets a combination of 2 nucleoside analogues, are indicated in combination with other antiretrovirals for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Lamivudine and zidovudine tablets, a combination of 2 nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inibitors, are indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. (1)

Dosage & Administration

2 DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION • Adults and Adolescents weighing greater than or equal to 30 kg: 1 tablet orally twice daily. (2.1) • Pediatrics weighing greater than or equal to 30 kg: 1 tablet orally twice daily. (2.2) • Because lamivudine and zidovudine tablet is a fixed-dose tablet and cannot be dose adjusted, lamivudine and zidovudine tablet is not recommended in patients requiring dosage adjustment or with hepatic impairment or experiencing dose-limiting adverse reactions. (2.3, 4) 2.1 Recommended Dosage for Adults and Adolescents The recommended dosage of lamivudine and zidovudine tablet in HIV-1-infected adults and adolescents weighing greater than or equal to 30 kg is 1 tablet (containing 150 mg of lamivudine and 300 mg of zidovudine) taken orally twice daily. 2.2 Recommended Dosage for Pediatric Patients The recommended dosage of scored lamivudine and zidovudine tablets for pediatric patients who weigh greater than or equal to 30 kg and for whom a solid oral dosage form is appropriate is 1 tablet administered orally twice daily. Before prescribing lamivudine and zidovudine tablets, children should be assessed for the ability to swallow tablets. If a child is unable to reliably swallow a lamivudine and zidovudine tablet, the liquid oral formulations should be prescribed: EPIVIR (lamivudine) oral solution and RETROVIR (zidovudine) syrup. 2.3 Not Recommended Due to Lack of Dosage Adjustment Because lamivudine and zidovudine is a fixed-dose tablet and cannot be dose adjusted, lamivudine and zidovudine tablets are not recommended for: • pediatric patients weighing less than 30 kg [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]. • patients with creatinine clearance less than 50 mL per minute [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6)]. • patients with hepatic impairment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7)]. • patients experiencing dose-limiting adverse reactions. Liquid and solid oral formulations of the individual components of lamivudine and zidovudine tablets are available for these populations .

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in other sections of the labeling: • Hematologic toxicity, including neutropenia and anemia [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. • Symptomatic myopathy [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. • Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]. • Exacerbations of hepatitis B [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]. • Hepatic decompensation in patients co-infected with HIV-1 and hepatitis C [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]. • Exacerbation of anemia in HIV-1/HCV co-infected patients receiving ribavirin and zidovudine [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]. • Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]. • Immune reconstitution syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]. • Lipoatrophy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)]. • Most commonly reported adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 15%) in clinical trials of combination lamivudine and zidovudine were headache, nausea, malaise and fatigue, nasal signs and symptoms, diarrhea, and cough. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hetero Labs Limited at 1-866-495-1995 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. Lamivudine plus Zidovudine Administered as Separate Formulations In 4 randomized, controlled trials of EPIVIR 300 mg per day plus RETROVIR 600 mg per day, the following selected adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities were observed (Tables 1 and 2). Table 1. Selected Clinical Adverse Reactions (Greater than or Equal to 5% Frequency) in 4 Controlled Clinical Trials with EPIVIR 300 mg per day and RETROVIR 600 mg per day Adverse Reaction EPIVIR plus RETROVIR (n = 251) Body as a whole Headache 35% Malaise & fatigue 27% Fever or chills 10% Digestive Nausea Diarrhea 33% 18% Nausea & vomiting 13% Anorexia and/or decreased appetite 10% Abdominal pain 9% Abdominal cramps 6% Dyspepsia 5% Nervous system Neuropathy 12% Insomnia & other sleep disorders 11% Dizziness 10% Depressive disorders 9% Respiratory Nasal signs & symptoms 20% Cough 18% Skin Skin rashes 9% Musculoskeletal Musculoskeletal pain 12% Myalgia 8% Arthralgia 5% Pancreatitis was observed in 9 of the 2,613 adult subjects (0.3%) who received EPIVIR in controlled clinical trials [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]. Selected laboratory abnormalities observed during therapy are listed in Table 2. Table 2. Frequencies of Selected Laboratory Abnormalities among Adults in 4 Controlled Clinical Trials of EPIVIR 300 mg per day plus RETROVIR 600 mg per day a Test (Abnormal Level) EPIVIR plus RETROVIR % (n) Neutropenia (ANC <750/mm 3 ) 7.2% (237) Anemia (Hgb <8 g/dL) 2.9% (241) Thrombocytopenia (platelets <50,000/mm 3 ) 0.4% (240) ALT (>5.0 x ULN) 3.7% (241) AST (>5.0 x ULN) 1.7% (241) Bilirubin (>2.5x ULN) 0.8% (241) Amylase (>2.0 x ULN) 4.2% (72) ULN = Upper limit of normal. ANC = Absolute neutrophil count. n = Number of subjects assessed. a Frequencies of these laboratory abnormalities were higher in subjects with mild laboratory abnormalities at baseline. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Body as a Whole Redistribution/accumulation of body fat [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)]. Cardiovascular Cardiomyopathy. Endocrine and Metabolic Gynecomastia, hyperglycemia. Gastrointestinal Oral mucosal pigmentation, stomatitis. General Vasculitis, weakness. Hemic and Lymphatic Anemia, (including pure red cell aplasia and anemias progressing on therapy), lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly. Hepatic and Pancreatic Lactic acidosis and hepatic steatosis, pancreatitis, posttreatment exacerbations of hepatitis B [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.3), (5.4), (5.6)]. Hypersensitivity Sensitization reactions (including anaphylaxis), urticaria. Musculoskeletal Muscle weakness, CPK elevation, rhabdomyolysis. Nervous Paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy, seizures. Respiratory Abnormal breath sounds/wheezing. Skin Alopecia, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Drug Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS • Agents antagonistic with zidovudine: Concomitant use should be avoided. (7.1) • Hematologic/bone marrow suppressive/cytotoxic agents: May increase the hematologic toxicity of zidovudine. (7.1) • Sorbitol: Coadministration of lamivudine and sorbitol may decrease lamivudine concentrations; when possible, avoid chronic coadministration. (7.2) • Agents antagonistic with zidovudine: Concomitant use should be avoided. (7.1) • Hematologic/bone marrow suppressive/cytotoxic agents: May increase the hematologic toxicity of zidovudine. (7.1) • Sorbitol: Coadministration of lamivudine and sorbitol may decrease lamivudine concentrations; when possible, avoid chronic coadministration. (7.2) 7.1 Zidovudine Agents Antagonistic with Zidovudine Concomitant use of zidovudine with the following drugs should be avoided since an antagonistic relationship has been demonstrated in vitro : • Stavudine • Doxorubicine • Nucleoside analogues, e.g., ribavirin Hematologic/Bone Marrow Suppressive/Cytotoxic Agents Coadministration with the following drugs may increase the hematologic toxicity of zidovudine: • Ganciclovir • Interferon alfa • Ribavirin • Other bone marrow suppressive or cytotoxic agents 7.2 Lamivudine Sorbitol Coadministration of single doses of lamivudine and sorbitol resulted in a sorbitol dose-dependent reduction in lamivudine exposures. When possible, avoid use of sorbitol-containing medicines with lamivudine-containing medicines [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Lamivudine and zidovudine tablets are contraindicated in patients with a previous hypersensitivity reaction to lamivudine or zidovudine. Lamivudine and zidovudine tablets are contraindicated in patients with a previous hypersensitivity reaction to lamivudine or zidovudine. (4)

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