If you experience any of these side effects continue taking Epivir and inform your doctor: cough, dizziness, fatigue, stomach discomfort, headache, or trouble sleeping. Epivir has also been known to cause anemia (decreased red blood cell function), hair loss, rash, and neutropenia (decreased neutrophils, a type of white blood cell). See a doctor immediately if your have any of these severe symptoms: allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue), dark urine, depression, fast or irregular heartbeat, infection (fever, chills, sore throat), inflammation of the pancreas (severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting), joint pain, mental or mood changes, muscle pain, nausea, numbness, tingling, or weakness in arms or legs, seizures, shortness of breath, stomach tenderness or pain, swelling or soreness of the mouth or tongue, unusual bleeding or bruising, unusual tiredness, unusual weakness or exhaustion, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Before taking Epivir, tell your doctor if you have: kidney disease; liver disease, pancreatitis or low white blood cell counts. Epivir should not be used if you are allergic to Lamivudine or any of the ingredients in Epivir medication. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should talk to their doctor about taking Epivir. Animal clinical trials have shown adverse effects of the fetus, but a high quality, controlled human study has not been conducted. HIV-positive women should not breastfeed, as the HIV virus can be transferred to the child through breast milk.