Lamidac

Description

Lamidac Tablet (Lamivudine)

Lamidac Tablet, containing the active ingredient Lamivudine, is a medication used to treat certain viral infections. It is manufactured by Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited.

What it’s Used For

Lamidac is prescribed for:

• HIV infection: It is used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.
• Chronic hepatitis B: It helps manage the long-term hepatitis B virus infection.

Dosage Information

Always follow your doctor’s instructions for dosage. This information is a general guideline.

Adult Doses

• HIV infection: The typical dose is 150 mg twice daily or 300 mg once a day, as part of a combination therapy.
• Chronic hepatitis B: The usual dose is 100 mg once daily. For patients with both HIV and chronic hepatitis B, the dose is 300 mg once daily or in two divided doses.

Pediatric Doses

• HIV infection (ages 3 months to 12 years): The dose is 4 mg per kg of body weight, twice a day. The maximum daily dose is 300 mg.
• Chronic hepatitis B (ages 2 and older): The dose is 3 mg per kg of body weight, once a day. The maximum daily dose is 100 mg.

Renal Impairment

Dosage adjustments are necessary for patients with kidney problems. Your doctor will determine the correct dose based on your creatinine clearance (CrCl). Lamidac is generally not recommended for dialysis patients.

Important Information

• Administration: You can take Lamidac with or without food.
• Contraindications: Do not take this medication if you are hypersensitive to lamivudine or if you are breastfeeding.
• Precautions: Your doctor will monitor your liver function while you are on this medication, especially if you have chronic hepatitis B. Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver problems, pancreatitis, or kidney issues. It’s also important to check for HIV infection before starting treatment for hepatitis B.
• Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, discuss the risks and benefits of taking this medication with your doctor.
• Drug Interactions: Lamivudine’s removal from the body can be affected by high doses of trimethoprim (found in co-trimoxazole). It may also interfere with the antiviral action of zalcitabine.

Possible Side Effects

Common side effects (more than 10%) include:

• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell
• Fever (in children)
• Headache
• Musculoskeletal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Nerve pain or tingling (neuropathy)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

Less common side effects (1-10%) include:

• Abdominal cramps or pain
• Loss of appetite
• Joint pain (arthralgia)
• Chills
• Depression and insomnia
• Dizziness
• Indigestion (dyspepsia)
• Muscle pain (myalgia)
• Rash

Severe Side Effects (Potentially Fatal): Lamivudine can, in rare cases, cause lactic acidosis, a serious buildup of lactic acid in the blood, which is associated with liver enlargement and fatty liver.

How it Works

Lamivudine is a type of drug called a nucleoside analogue. In your body, it’s converted into an active form that works by blocking the enzymes that the HIV and hepatitis B viruses need to replicate. Specifically, it inhibits HIV reverse transcriptase and hepatitis B virus polymerase, stopping the viruses from making copies of themselves.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for diagnosis, treatment, and medical advice.