Compare Truvada vs. Epivir

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Works with other medications to treat HIV infection, or works alone to prevent HIV infection.

Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir) is a versatile, first-choice HIV medication that is used in combination with other HIV medications to treat and prevent HIV infections.

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4.8/ 5 average rating with 16 reviewsforTruvada
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.

Upsides
  • Contains two first-choice medications which can be used in combination with other drugs to treat HIV infection.
  • Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir) is also a first-choice option to be used for preventing HIV.
  • Take only once daily, with or without food.
  • 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.
Downsides
  • If you're taking Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir) to stop you from getting HIV, you should continue having safe sex since it won't protect you from other sexually transmitted infections.
  • If you're taking Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir) to stop you from getting HIV, you have to get blood tests every 3 months to check for overall health and to make sure you don't have HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
  • People with poorly functioning kidneys shouldn't take Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir).
  • Can weaken your bones.
  • If you have HIV as well as Hepatitis B and stop taking Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir) suddenly, your hepatitis may get worse.
  • 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.
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Used for
  • HIV treatment
  • HIV prevention
  • Hepatitis B treatment
  • HIV infection
  • Hepatitis B
  • HIV prevention, non-occupational (PEP)
  • HIV prevention, mother-to-child
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Pill
  • Liquid
Price
Lowest price
$1672.61
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Lowest price
$492.95
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Reviews
16 reviews so far
100%
saidit'sworth it
94%
saiditworked well
0%
saidit'sa big hassle

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Side effects
12possible side effects
  • Diarrhea
    9%
  • Nausea
    9%
  • Fatigue
    9%
  • Depression
    9%
  • Stuffy or runny nose
    8%
  • Flu or bronchitis
    8%
  • Dizziness
    8%
  • Rash event
    7%
  • Headache
    6%
  • Common cold
    5%
  • Insomnia
    5%
  • Vomiting
    2%
See more detailed side effects
3possible side effects
  • Ear, nose, and throat infections
    25%
  • Diarrhea
    14%
  • Sore throat
    13%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Lactic acidosis | Enlarged, fatty liver
    • Liver disease
    • Women
    • Obesity
  • Worsening hepatitis B infection
    • Hepatitis B Virus infection
  • Kidney damage
    • History of kidney damage
    • Concurrent use of other drugs known to harm kidneys
  • Bone loss/osteoporosis
    • History of bone fractures
    • Osteoporosis
  • Immune reconstitution syndrome
    • HIV
    • Exposure to other infections
    • Start of a new HIV medication
    • Change in HIV therapy
  • Drug resistance while using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
    • Undiscovered HIV infection while on PrEP
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • 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
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Truvada (emtricitabine / tenofovir)
Learn more about Epivir (lamivudine)