Taking it

3TC (lamivudine, Epivir) can be taken once or twice daily. Once daily dosing involves taking one 300mg tablet, and twice daily dosing involves taking two 150mg tablets twelve hours apart. 3TC can be taken either with food or on an empty stomach. Once-daily dosing of 3TC produces the same effects in the body as twice-daily dosing, and it is safe to switch between these regimens.^[1][2][3]

An oral solution of 3TC is available at a concentration of 10mg/ml.

As with all anti-HIV drugs, it is important to take the drug as prescribed in order to maintain the right level of the drug in the blood. If blood levels of the drug fall too low, this will help the development of resistance to 3TC and may affect future treatment options.

The dose of 3TC should be reduced in patients with moderate to severe kidney disease. For this reason, these patients should not take fixed-dose combinations containing 3TC.