Antiviral Agent: Lamivudine 100 mg tablets contain the active ingredient lamivudine, which is a nucleoside analog with potent antiviral activity against both Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Dosage Strength: The 100 mg strength is typically used for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis B infection. Higher doses are usually used for HIV.
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 HBV: Lamivudine is highly effective in suppressing Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication, which can lead to a significant decrease in viral load and normalization of liver enzymes.
Improved Liver Health: By controlling HBV replication, it can reduce liver inflammation and fibrosis, thereby slowing the progression of liver disease and decreasing the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
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.
Well-Tolerated: The drug is generally well-tolerated, with a good safety profile, and a low risk of serious side effects.
Uses
Chronic Hepatitis B (HBV) Infection: The primary indication for the 100 mg strength is for the treatment of adults and children with chronic Hepatitis B who have evidence of viral replication and active liver inflammation.
HIV Infection: Higher doses (e.g., 150 mg or 300 mg), often in combination with other antiretroviral agents, are used for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.
Coinfection: Can be used to treat patients who are coinfected with both HBV and HIV, but the dosage must be adjusted to the higher dose required for HIV therapy.
Prevention of Viral Replication: The medication helps to prevent HBV from replicating, which is the key to managing the disease and preventing long-term complications.
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 100 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 with HBV should be educated that abruptly stopping the medication can lead to a severe exacerbation of their hepatitis, so they should not discontinue it without consulting their doctor.
Child Safety: Store the medication in a secure location, out of the reach of children and pets.
