Zefix tablets 100 mg for chronic hepatitis B (lamivudine, Epivir)

What are Zefix tablets 100 mg for chronic hepatitis B (lamivudine, Epivir)?

Zefix tablets are comprised of lamivudine, a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Their mechanism of action involves inhibiting reverse transcriptase, an enzyme crucial for the replication of the hepatitis B virus within the body. Consequently, Zefix tablets effectively hinder virus proliferation, reduce viral load in the bloodstream, and mitigate damage to the liver.

Zefix tablets have demonstrated efficacy in treating chronic hepatitis B virus infections, offering several notable advantages:

• Enhancement of liver histology staging.
• Facilitation of the normalization of seroconversion in individuals with e-antigen positive hepatitis B.
• Compatibility with other antiretroviral medications, such as zidovudine and abacavir.
• No observed evidence of carcinogenic or mutagenic properties.

Additionally, extensive studies have confirmed the safety and tolerability of lamivudine, even during prolonged treatment regimens.

Active principles: lamivudine

Amount: 70 tablets

Maker: GlaxoSmithKline K.K., Tokyo, Japan

Indications: treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection

How to take

Adults should take one tablet (100 mg of the active principle) at a time, once a day. 

Patients are required to undergo hepatitis screening before the treatment.

Contraindications: do not use for the following patients:

• pregnant or breastfeeding women,
• patients with HIV infection, 
• patients with renal dysfunction,
• patients with liver dysfunction.

Important information

Patient should receive regular medical examination to avoid mistaking symptoms of chronic hepatitis B and hepatic cirrhosis B. Liver function test is required periodically during the course of treatment.

After finishing the course of treatment, testing for hepatitis should be performed every 2 weeks for at least 4 months after completion of the medicine. Some patients with strong immune responses, especially those who have had jaundice or acute exacerbations in the past, or those with decompensated liver disease, may have severe symptoms of hepatitis after completing this medicine and may need to take it for a longer period of time.

Treatment with this medicine does not guarantee avoiding transmission of the hepatitis B virus to your partner.

If an allergic reaction occurs, patient needs to stop using the medicine and consult with their doctor. If patient is taking any other medication or treatment, they should consult with their doctor in advance.