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Brand name: 3TC TM
Active ingredients: lamivudine
What it is used for
3TC (lamivudine) in combination with other antiretroviral agents is indicated for the treatment of HIV infected adults and children.
How to take it
The way to take this medicine is: Oral. This medicine is taken by mouth.
- Store below 25 degrees Celsius
- Shelf lifetime is 2 Years.
You should seek medical advice in relation to medicines and use only as directed by a healthcare professional.
Always read the label. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional.
Visual appearance
Clear, colourless to pale yellow solution, with the odour of fruit.
Do I need a prescription?
This medicine is available from a pharmacist and requires a prescription. It is
Is this medicine subsidised?
This medicine was verified as being available on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) on March 1, 2019. To learn more about this subsidy, visit the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) website.
Pregnant or planning a pregnancy?
For the active ingredient lamivudine
You should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist about taking this medicine. They can help you balance the risks and the benefits of this medicine during pregnancy.
Download leaflet
For side effects, taking other medicines and more
Download consumer medicine information leaflet (pdf) from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website
Reporting side effects
You can help ensure medicines are safe by reporting the side effects you experience.
You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
Top results
Top results
Therapy for treating HIV infection in pregnant women who require treatment for their own health | Cochrane
Pregnant human immunodeficiency virus-infected (HIV)-infected women often need treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART) for their own health. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is the most common way that children worldwide become HIV infected. Treatment of HIV-infected pregnant women with ART decreases the risk of HIV MTCT. It is possible to decrease the risk of MTCT to 1-2% with the use of antiretroviral medications, caesarean section before labour begins, and avoiding breastfeeding. When women who require HIV treatment for the benefit of their own health become pregnant, we need to know the most effective therapy, the impact of the drug on the MTCT of HIV, and what the potential complications of the therapy might be for both the mother and her unborn child.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine combination therapy for treatment of HIV infection and AIDS in adults | Cochrane
Stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine combination therapy for treatment of HIV infection and AIDS in adults
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Comparing initial antiretroviral regimens stavudine or zidovudine as part of three-drug combinations for treatment of HIV infection | Cochrane
Comparing initial antiretroviral regimens stavudine or zidovudine as part of three-drug combinations for treatment of HIV infection
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Antiretrovirals for reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection | Cochrane
At the end of 2009, 2.5 million children under the age of 15 years were estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS (WHO 2011). The majority of these children acquired their infections as a result of mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, labor, or breastfeeding. Antiretroviral drugs administered to the HIV-infected mother and/or to her child during pregnancy, labor, or breastfeeding can reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The objective of this review is to determine whether a regimen of antiretroviral drugs leads to a significant reduction in HIV transmission during pregnancy and labor without serious side-effects.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Abacavir-based triple nucleoside regimens for maintenance therapy in patients with HIV | Cochrane
Regimen simplification can be defined as a change in established effective therapy to reduce pill burden and dosing frequency, to enhance tolerability, or to decrease specific food and fluid requirements. Many patients on suppressive antiretroviral therapy may be considered candidates for a simplification strategy and, among them, those who have achievedvirologic suppression. We have reviewed clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of abacavir-containing triple nucleoside combination as a simplification therapy in HIV-infected adult patients treated with a Protease-Inhibitor (PI)-containing regimen and with undetectable viral load. Patients on a PI-containing regimen had three possibilities: continue the PI regimen or switch to a simplification maintenance regimen with triple nucleoside combination (abacavir-zidovudine-lamivudine) or with non-nucleoside (efavirenz or nevirapine) containing regimens. The review included 8 RCTs and 1675 HIV infected patients. Simplification with triple nucleoside regimen showed an overall failure rate comparable to that of continuing PI regimen or to simplification with non-nucleoside regimens. Rates of failure due to adverse eventswith triple nucleoside combinations were lower compared to controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. By contrast, rates of virologic failures were more frequent with triple nucleoside combination that with PI or NNRTI, but in both the comparisons the differences were not statistically significant. Simplification with abacavir had a favourable and significant impact on lipid metabolism compared to control group. Simplification with triple nucleoside regimens should be still considered for individuals who are unable to tolerate or have contraindications to NNRTI or PI based regimens
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
