When your doctor tells you that you have Hepatitis B, you may be prescribed a medication called Lamivudine. Doctors may also call it 3TC. When you hear the name of this medication, you may have a lot of questions in your mind. Things like, 'What does this actually do?', 'Will this cure the disease completely?', 'What should I know when I use this?' may come to your mind. Don't worry, it's very normal. Let's talk about all this simply and clearly.
What kind of medicine is Lamivudine (3TC)?
Simply put, Lamivudine is an antiviral medicine. It works by controlling the Hepatitis B virus in your body. That is, it greatly reduces the amount of virus that can multiply in your body, meaning it can increase in size. By controlling the virus in this way, you can reduce the damage it can do to your liver.
But here you need to remember one important thing . This medicine is specifically designed for Hepatitis B. This is not a medicine for the common cold, flu, or other minor viral illnesses. This medicine has no effect on such diseases.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before prescribing Lamivudine, your doctor will ask you a few questions. It is important for your safety that you tell the truth about these matters without hiding anything.
- Other diseases: Tell us if you have had any kidney disease, liver disease, or pancreatitis in the past.
- HIV infection: It is imperative to inform your doctor if you have HIV infection.
- Allergies: Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to lamivudine or any other medicine, food, or preservatives.
- Alcohol use: If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor about that as well.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are currently breastfeeding, it is essential to tell your doctor before starting this medication.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of your medicine, you need to use it properly.
- How to take: Swallow this tablet whole with a glass of water. You can take it before or after a meal. Decide on your convenience.
- Regular time: The most important thing is to take your medicine at about the same time every day. Make this a habit. This will help you avoid missing your dose.
- Stopping the medication: Even if you feel better now, do not stop taking the medication for any reason unless your doctor tells you to. If you skip doses or stop taking it suddenly, the Hepatitis B virus can become resistant to the medication and become resistant to the medication (drug resistance). This can make treatment very difficult.
- For children: This medicine is sometimes prescribed for children over 2 years of age. However, this should only be decided by your pediatrician. Talk to him or her about it and get advice.
Overdosage
Imagine you have accidentally taken too much medicine. If this happens, don't panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or, go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What to do if you miss a dose of medicine?
Everyone forgets to take their medicine sometimes. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (e.g., within a few hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Possible side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, Lamivudine can cause side effects in some people. Most of these are not serious, but there are some symptoms that we should be especially aware of.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Signs of liver injury | Dark yellow/brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, and feeling lethargic. |
| Other serious symptoms | Difficulty breathing, dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat, severe muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, unusual stomach pain. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| General characteristics | Cough, diarrhea, headache, runny or stuffy nose. |
Other things to keep in mind while taking the medicine
- Medical tests: It is essential to see your doctor on a regular basis while taking this medication. It is also important to have blood tests done on time as prescribed by your doctor. These are the only way to know for sure how the medication is affecting your body and whether the virus is under control.
- Other medications: Tell your doctor about any other medications, vitamins, herbs, or supplements you are taking while taking this medicine, as some things can interact with this medicine.
- Preventing transmission: Remember, Hepatitis B is a disease that is spread through sexual contact and blood (e.g., sharing injection needles). Talk openly with your doctor about safe ways to prevent the spread of this disease to others.
Take-Home Message
- Lamivudine (3TC) is a medicine that controls the Hepatitis B virus, not a medicine for the common cold or flu.
- Even if you feel better, never stop taking your medication without medical advice.
- Take the medicine at the same time every day. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But never take two doses at the same time.
- Give your doctor a complete description of all other medications you are taking and any other medical conditions you may have.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as yellowing of the eyes, severe stomach pain, or difficulty breathing, call your doctor immediately or go to a hospital.
- Always store medicines out of the reach of children, at room temperature.
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