Lamivudine Hbv (lamivudine)

Antiviral-HIV(Antiretroviral) Nucleoside/-tide RT Inhibitors Oral Tablet

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Lamivudine, an antiretroviral agent, is a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that is active against HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Lamivudine, an antiretroviral agent, is a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). Following conversion to a pharmacologically active metabolite, lamivudine apparently inhibits replication of human retroviruses by interfering with viral RNA-directed DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase). Lamivudine, therefore, exerts a virustatic effect against retroviruses by acting as a reverse transcriptase inhibitor.

Like other HIV nucleoside reverse transcriptase agents and other nucleoside antiviral agents, the antiviral activity of lamivudine appears to depend on intracellular conversion of the drug to a 5'-triphosphate metabolite; thus, 2',3'-dideoxy,3'-thiacytidine-5'-triphosphate (3TC-TP) and not unchanged lamivudine appears to be the pharmacologically active form of the drug. 3TC-TP is a structural analog of deoxycytidine triphosphate (dC-TP), the natural substrate for reverse transcriptase (viral RNA-directed DNA polymerase). Although other mechanisms may be involved in the antiretroviral activity of the drug, 3TC-TP appears to compete with naturally occurring dC-TP for incorporation into viral DNA by reverse transcriptase.

Following incorporation of 3TC-TP into the viral DNA chain instead of dC-TP, viral DNA synthesis is terminated prematurely because the absence of a 3'-hydroxy group on the oxathiolane ring prevents further 5' to 3' phosphodiester linkages.

Lamivudine is rapidly absorbed from the GI tract in patients with HIV or hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In HIV-infected patients or healthy individuals, peak plasma concentrations are achieved within 0.5-2 hours after a single dose. The absolute bioavailability of lamivudine 150-mg scored tablets and oral solution in adults is similar (86 and 87%, respectively).

In a crossover study in healthy adults evaluating the steady-state pharmacokinetics of lamivudine administered in a once-daily regimen (300-mg tablet once daily) or twice-daily regimen (150-mg tablet twice daily), AUC was similar with both regimens; however, peak plasma concentrations were 66% higher and trough concentrations were 53% lower with the once-daily regimen compared with the twice-daily regimen.

The absolute bioavailability of lamivudine tablets and lamivudine oral solution is lower in children than in adults. In addition, the relative bioavailability of the oral solution is approximately 40% lower than that of the tablets in children, despite no difference between the preparations in adults. It has been suggested that lower lamivudine exposures reported in pediatric patients receiving lamivudine oral solution are likely due to an interaction between lamivudine and concomitant solutions containing sorbitol (e.g., abacavir oral solution).

Data from pharmacokinetic studies evaluating once- and twice-daily lamivudine regimens in HIV-1-infected pediatric patients 3 months through 12 years of age indicate that AUCs attained with once-daily regimens were similar to those attained with twice-daily regimens when comparing the dosage regimens within the same formulation (i.e., either tablets or the oral solution). However, mean peak plasma concentrations were approximately 80-90% higher with once-daily lamivudine regimens compared with twice-daily lamivudine regimens.

Pharmacokinetics of lamivudine in pregnant women are similar to those reported in nonpregnant adults and postpartum women. Food does not appear to affect the AUC of lamivudine. In a small study in HIV-infected patients, peak plasma concentrations of lamivudine were decreased 40% and the rate of absorption was reduced when lamivudine was administered with food, but clinically important decreases in systemic availability of the drug (AUC) were not observed.

Lamivudine is distributed into CSF. In HIV-infected children who received oral lamivudine in a dosage of 8 mg/kg daily, CSF concentrations ranged from 0.04-0.3 mcg/mL and were 5.6-30.9% of concurrent serum concentrations. Lamivudine crosses the placenta and is distributed into cord blood and amniotic fluid.

Lamivudine concentrations in amniotic fluid are typically twofold higher than maternal serum concentrations and have ranged from 1.2-2.5 mcg/mL or 2.1-5.2 mcg/mL when lamivudine dosage in the mother was 150 or 300 mg twice daily, respectively. Lamivudine is distributed into milk. Lamivudine is less than 36% bound to plasma proteins.

Intracellularly, lamivudine is phosphorylated and converted by cellular enzymes to the active 5'-triphosphate metabolite. Lamivudine is not substantially metabolized by cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzymes. Metabolism is a minor route of elimination of lamivudine; the only known metabolite is the trans-sulfoxide metabolite.

The majority of a lamivudine dose is eliminated unchanged in urine by active organic cationic secretion. Within 12 hours after an oral dose, approximately 5% is excreted in urine as the trans-sulfoxide metabolite. In single-dose studies in healthy individuals or patients with HIV or HBV infection, the mean plasma half-life of lamivudine was 5-7 hours.

The plasma half-life in HIV-infected children 4 months to 14 years of age is 2 hours.

The pharmacokinetics of lamivudine are not altered in patients with hepatic impairment. In patients with impaired renal function, peak plasma concentrations, AUC, and plasma half-life of lamivudine are increased. Hemodialysis increases lamivudine clearance; however, the length of time of hemodialysis (4 hours) is insufficient to substantially alter mean lamivudine exposure after a single dose of the drug.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and automated peritoneal dialysis have negligible effects on lamivudine clearance. There are no significant or clinically relevant racial or gender differences in lamivudine pharmacokinetics.

USES: Lamivudine-HBV is used to treat hepatitis B infection. It is not a cure for hepatitis B and does not prevent the passing of hepatitis B to others. This medication is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that works by slowing the growth of the virus, thereby decreasing liver damage caused by the virus.

Generic name: lamivudine
Pronunciation: (la-MIV-ue-deen)
Drug class: Antiviral-HIV(Antiretroviral) Nucleoside/-tide RT Inhibitors
Therapeutic class: Anti-Infective Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Lamivudine Hbv:

  • Chronic Hepatitis B

Also known as: Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Chronic Hepatitis Due To Hbv.

Dosing

No dosing information is available for this tab.

Drug interactions

The following drug interactions are based on studies using lamivudine. Additional drug interactions may exist for fixed-dose combination products containing lamivudine/zidovudine (Combivir(R), generic) , abacavir/lamivudine (Epzicom(R), generic) , abacavir/lamivudine/zidovudine (Trizivir(R), generic) , lamivudine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Cimduo(R)) , doravirine/lamivudine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Delstrigo(R)) , dolutegravir/lamivudine (Dovato(R)) , efavirenz/lamivudine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Symfi(R); Symfi(R) Lo) , and abacavir/dolutegravir/lamivudine (Triumeq(R); Triumeq PD(R)). See the full prescribing information for information on each of these combination products.

Contraindications

*Previous hypersensitivity to lamivudine.

Adverse reactions

In the treatment of HIV infection in adults, the most common reported adverse reactions (incidence >=15%) were headache, nausea, malaise and fatigue, nasal signs and symptoms, diarrhea, and cough. In the treatment of HIV infection in pediatric patients, the most common reported adverse reactions (incidence >=15%) were fever and cough.

In the treatment of HBV infection, the most common reported adverse reactions (incidence >=10% and reported at a rate greater than placebo) were ear, nose, and throat infections; sore throat; and diarrhea.

Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Chronic hepatitis B
B18.0ICD10CMChronic viral hepatitis B with delta-agent
B18.1ICD10CMChronic viral hepatitis B without delta-agent

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data