Compare Epivir vs. Combivir
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Works with other medicines to treat HIV infection or chronic hepatitis B.
Epivir (lamivudine) is a first-choice and commonly used medicine to take together with other HIV medications to treat HIV. It is also an alternative option for treating chronic hepatitis B.
Treats HIV infection
While Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) isn't one of the first choices for treating HIV, it can still be an option if other HIV medications aren't working well for you.
Upsides
- Epivir (lamivudine) can be used with many other HIV options to create a combination that's right for you.
- Has very minimal interactions with other medications.
- Available in tablet and liquid form.
- Can be take once or twice a day. Also available in different combination pills so you don't have to take as many pills per day.
- Available in cheaper generic form.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) can be taken with or without food.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) can be taken by children and adolescents weighing 30kg (66lbs) or more.
- Available in generic.
Downsides
- Cannot take Epivir (lamivudine) by itself to treat HIV.
- Might need to change dosage based on how well your kidneys function.
- It is recommended to use other options to treat chronic hepatitis B before choosing Epivir (lamivudine) due to drug resistance.
- You'll have to be tested for both HIV and hepatitis B, since the dose to treat hepatitis B is lower than the dose for HIV. If you have the lower dose, HIV can be harder to treat if you also have hepatitis B.
- The liquid version of Epivir (lamivudine) has sugar, so if you have diabetes, your blood sugar levels might change.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) needs to be taken twice daily.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) may cause serious blood, muscle, and liver problems.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) is not recommended if you have kidney damage.
- Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) can cause a lot of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, and malaise.
Used for
- HIV infection
- Hepatitis B
- HIV prevention, non-occupational (PEP)
- HIV prevention, mother-to-child
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Liquid
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$396.84
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$50.88
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Reviews
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Side effects
3possible side effects
- Ear, nose, and throat infections25%
- Diarrhea14%
- Sore throat13%
20possible side effects
- Headache35%
- Nausea33%
- Malaise and fatigue27%
- Nose-related problems20%
- Diarrhea18%
- Cough18%
- Nausea and vomiting13%
- Nerve problems12%
- Bone pain12%
- Insomnia and other sleep disorders11%
- Fever or chills10%
- Loss or decrease in appetite10%
- Dizziness10%
- Abdominal pain9%
- Depression9%
- Skin rashes9%
- Muscle pain8%
- Abdominal cramps6%
- Indigestion5%
- Joint pain5%
Risks and risk factors
- Lactic acidosis | Enlarged, fatty liver
- Liver disease
- Women
- Obesity
- Acute Exacerbation of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
- Hepatitis B virus
- Different doses available
- HIV counseling/testing
- Immune reconstitution syndrome
- HIV
- Exposure to other infections
- Start of a new HIV medication
- Change in HIV therapy
- Pancreatitis
- Blood and bone marrow problems
- Advanced HIV
- Anemia
- Neutropenia
- Muscle damage
- Taking Combivir (lamivudine / zidovudine) for a long time
- Worsening of hepatitis B
- Hepatitis B virus
- Lactic acidosis | Enlarged, fatty liver
- Liver disease
- Women
- Obesity
- Immune reconstitution syndrome
- HIV
- Exposure to other infections
- Start of a new HIV medication
- Change in HIV therapy
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- History of pancreatitis