Antiretroviral Agent: Lamivudine 150 mg tablets contain the active ingredient lamivudine, a nucleoside analog with potent antiviral activity against both Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Dosage Strength: The 150 mg strength is a standard dosage, typically used for the treatment of HIV-1 infection, often as part of a combination regimen.
Oral Formulation: It is an oral tablet designed for swallowing, which allows for convenient long-term management of viral infections.
Selectivity: Lamivudine is a prodrug that is converted to its active triphosphate form inside the cell, where it selectively targets and inhibits viral reverse transcriptase and DNA polymerase with minimal effect on human cellular enzymes.
Advantages
Effective Against HIV: Lamivudine is a highly effective component of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV, helping to suppress viral replication, reduce viral load, and improve immune function.
Synergistic Action: It works synergistically with other antiretroviral drugs, particularly other NRTIs like zidovudine or abacavir, to provide a more powerful and effective treatment regimen.
Well-Tolerated: The drug is generally well-tolerated, with a good safety profile, and a low risk of serious side effects.
Oral Convenience: The oral tablet formulation provides a convenient and non-invasive way to manage a chronic viral infection, which is crucial for long-term adherence.
Uses
HIV-1 Infection: The primary indication is for the treatment of HIV-1 infection, in combination with other antiretroviral agents. It is a foundational drug in many antiretroviral regimens.
Chronic Hepatitis B (HBV) Infection: The 150 mg dose can also be used to treat chronic HBV infection, particularly in patients who are coinfected with HIV, where a higher dose is needed.
Prevention of Viral Replication: The medication helps to prevent HIV from replicating, which is the key to managing the disease and preventing opportunistic infections.
Combination Therapy: Lamivudine 150 mg is commonly co-formulated with other antiretroviral drugs (e.g., in tablets with zidovudine or abacavir) to simplify dosing and improve adherence.
Nature
Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NRTI): Lamivudine belongs to the class of NRTIs, which are synthetic nucleoside analogs.
Mechanism of Action: Inside the cell, lamivudine is phosphorylated to its active triphosphate form. This active form then competitively inhibits the viral enzyme reverse transcriptase (in HIV) and DNA polymerase (in HBV), which are essential for viral replication.
DNA Chain Termination: By being incorporated into the viral DNA chain, it acts as a chain terminator, effectively stopping the DNA from being built and preventing the virus from replicating.
Pharmacokinetic Profile: Lamivudine is rapidly absorbed after oral administration and is eliminated predominantly unchanged by the kidneys. Its half-life is approximately 5-7 hours.
Storage
Temperature: Store Lamivudine Tablets 150 mg at controlled room temperature, typically between 20∘C to 25∘C (68∘F to 77∘F).
Protection: Keep the tablets in their original, tightly closed container, protected from light and moisture.
Patient Education: Patients should be educated on the importance of taking every dose as prescribed to prevent the development of viral resistance and to ensure long-term treatment success.
Child Safety: Store the medication in a secure location, out of the reach of children and pets.
