Lamivudine

Lamivudine (3TC) is a nucleoside analog with in vitro activity against HIV-1, including zidovudine resistant strains, and HBV. Lamivudine inhibits the reverse transcriptase of HIV-1 and is synergistic with zidovudine against HIV-1. As with zidovudine, lamivudine requires intracellular triphosphorylation for activation. Lamivudine, administered in combination with zidovudine or another nucleoside analog to retard the emergence of resistance, is indicated for treatment of advanced HIV disease. Potential side effects are headache, insomnia, fatigue, and gastrointestinal discomfort, though these are typically mild.