This is an automatically translated article.
With the main ingredient is Lamivudine, Virlaf is effective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus. The drug is also combined with Zidovudine to treat HIV. To better understand the effects of Virlaf, please read the article below.
1. What are the effects of Virlaf?
Lamivudin ingredient in Virlaf belongs to the group of antiviral drugs. The drug is known to be highly active against hepatitis B virus in all cell lines tested.
When entering the body, the drug is quickly absorbed in the digestive system and the bioavailability of the drug when used in adults is more than 80%. The route of elimination of Lamivudine is mainly via the kidneys as unchanged drug. This drug is poorly metabolized by the liver, therefore, the potential for drug-metabolized interactions with lamivudine is low.
Lamivudine's elimination half-life is reported to be 5-7 hours. This elimination is unchanged in the urine via glomerular filtration and active excretion (organic cation transport system). Renal clearance accounts for about 70% of the elimination of lamivudine.
In the following cases, Virlaf is indicated for prescription:
Compensated liver disease with evidence of active viral replication, persistently elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and evidence histology of active inflammation and/or cirrhosis. Second agent-associated decompensated liver disease with no cross-resistance to lamivudine. Patients will not be allowed to prescribe drugs when they have a medical condition that is sensitive to Lamivudine ingredients or any of the excipients of the drug.
2. Dosage and how to use Virlaf
Virlaf drug is made in the form of film-coated tablets, so patients are advised to take the drug orally. Dosage of the drug will be changed based on the patient's health condition as well as the purpose of treatment.
For the treatment of hepatitis B virus:
Adults appoint 100 mg/day Children > 12 years old recommended starting dose is 3 mg/kg Patients with renal impairment need to be reduced dose compared to adult dose. For the purpose of HIV treatment in combination with zidovudine
Adults take 150 mg/time, take 2 times a day, combine zidovudine 600 mg/day divided into 2-3 times Children take 4 mg/kg/time, divided into 2 times drink. The maximum dose is 300 mg/day in combination with zidovudine 360 - 720 mg/day in divided doses. Patients with renal failure with ClCr < 30 mL/min need to reduce the dose. Patients are required to use the drug regularly and at the right dose to achieve the highest treatment effect. However, if during the course of taking the medicine, the patient forgets the dose, take it as soon as he remembers. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Virlaf overdose can cause adverse symptoms in the body. Therefore, patients need to be monitored and actively supportive treatment.
3. Virlaf side effects
Some adverse effects of Virlaf may occur such as: Headache, fatigue, irritability, gastrointestinal disturbances, epigastric pain, cramps, insomnia, fever, cough, recurrent pancreatitis, pain Peripheral nerves...According to experts, these side effects tend to go away on their own after a few days or weeks. However, with serious reactions that need to be treated to avoid affecting the patient's health.
When these symptoms arise, it is important to notify the doctor for prompt remedy. Patients must absolutely not stop taking the drug, decrease/increase the dose without the doctor's prescription.
4. Virlaf drug interactions
Some drugs may interact with Virlaf such as:
Emtricitabine should not be combined with Virlaf, because these two drugs have similar structures. Co-administration of Cladribine with Virlaf, because lamivudine has the potential to inhibit intracellular phosphorylation of cladribin, leading to the risk of loss of efficacy of cladribine This is not a complete list of drugs that may interact. with Virlaf. To avoid this situation, you should actively make a list of all your medications (including prescription, nonprescription, herbal and dietary supplements) and show them to your doctor or pharmacist. .
5. Be careful when using Virlaf
In order to use the drug safely, patients need to "take to heart" the following notes:
Pancreatitis patients need to be periodically monitored clinically & tested for liver function during drug treatment. Spontaneous exacerbations in chronic hepatitis B characterized by transient elevations in serum ALT. After initiation of antiretroviral therapy, serum ALT may be elevated in some patients due to decreased serum HBV DNA levels. This can lead to an exacerbation of hepatitis through elevation of serum ALT and re-emergence of HBV DNA. In patients with YMDD mutant HBV, consideration should be given to switching to or adding an alternative drug without cross-resistance to lamivudine based on guidelines. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis should be monitored for clinical, virological and serological parameters related to hepatitis B, liver and kidney function during drug administration. This is because this is a high-risk object that leads to the replication of the active virus. Children over 2 years of age and adolescents with hepatitis B need to use medicine prescribed by a doctor. Patients with hepatitis Delta or hepatitis C should use this drug with caution. People who often operate machinery and drive while taking the drug may experience drowsiness and fatigue as side effects. This affects more or less the ability to concentrate on driving, so care should be taken when treating with Virlaf. Pregnant women can use Virlaf during pregnancy, but should follow the doctor's prescription to avoid overdose or missed doses. Postpartum and breastfeeding women can still be treated with normal Virlaf. However, the benefits and risks of the drug should be weighed. To avoid reducing the effectiveness of the drug due to improper storage of the drug, the patient should carefully read the instructions on the storage information of the drug on the box and read the instructions for use. In summary, the drug Virlaf is often recommended to be used to treat hepatitis B virus. Virlaf users need to carefully read the instructions for use and strictly follow the indications given by the doctor to ensure effectiveness. high treatment.
Follow Vinmec International General Hospital website to get more health, nutrition and beauty information to protect the health of yourself and your loved ones in your family.
