Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using 3TC Oral Solution?
3TC oral solution contains the active ingredient lamivudine. 3TC oral solution is
used together with other antivirals to slow down the progression of human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) infection.
2. What should I know before I use 3TC Oral Solution?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to lamivudine or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with 3TC oral solution and affect how it works.
4. How do I use 3TC Oral Solution?
Adults and adolescents 12 years and older the normal dose is 15 mL of solution twice
a day or 30 ml of solution once a day. Your doctor may prescribe a different dosage.
For younger children between 3 months to 12 years of age the dose of 3TC will depend
on their weight in kilograms (kg).
Follow the instructions provided and use 3TC oral solution until your doctor tells
you to stop.
5. What should I know while using 3TC Oral Solution?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist, or pharmacist you visit that you are taking 3TC Oral Solution.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or are trying to become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine as prescribed.
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Things you should not do
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Do not stop using this medicine suddenly or change the dose without talking to your
doctor.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else.
Do not use 3TC oral solution to treat any other complaints.
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Driving or using machines
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Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how 3TC oral solution affect
you.
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Looking after your medicine
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Store 3TC oral solution in a cool, dry place below 25˚C.
Keep it where children cannot reach them.
Do not store 3TC oral solution, or any other medicine in a bathroom, near a sink,
in the car or on window sills.
Keep this medicine in the bottle with the cap tightly closed until you take them.
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6. Are there any side effects?
Common side effects that have been reported include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, upper
abdominal pain, headache, high temperature, lethargy, fatigue, hair loss, joint and
muscle pain, skin rash and increased bruising or bleeding. Serious side effects include
lumpy skin rash or "hives", swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, mouth, or throat,
wheezing, chest pain or tightness, and fainting, which may indicate an allergic reaction.
Severe stomach pain or cramps, nausea or vomiting may indicate pancreatitis.
Active ingredient(s):
lamivudine
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using 3TC oral solution. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using 3TC oral solution.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using 3TC Oral Solution?
3TC oral solution contains the active ingredient lamivudine.
3TC oral solution belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals.
3TC oral solution is used together with other antivirals to slow down the progression
of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which can lead to Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other related illnesses (e.g., AIDS-related Complex
or ARC).
3TC does not cure AIDS or kill the HIV virus but prevents further damage to the immune
system by stopping production of new viruses.
Your doctor may have prescribed 3TC oral solution for another reason.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why 3TC oral solution have been prescribed
for you.
2. What should I know before I use 3TC Oral Solution?
Warnings
Do not use 3TC Oral Solution if:
you are allergic to lamivudine, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
the expiry or "use by" date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed as it may not work
as well.
the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If you are not sure whether you should be taking 3TC Oral Solution, talk to your doctor.
Check with your doctor if you:
are allergic to foods, dyes, preservatives or any other medicines.
you have, or have ever had, liver problems, for example jaundice, hepatitis, virus
affecting the liver, enlarged liver or liver scarring (cirrhosis) or if you have any
risk factors for liver problems, e.g. excessive alcohol intake, illegal intravenous
drug use with shared equipment, iron or copper storage disorders
you have, or have ever had, kidney problems.
you have, or have ever had, problems with your pancreas.
you have diabetes.
you have any other illness, including those that you think are not related to HIV
infection.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using 3TC oral solution if you
are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you stop taking 3TC Oral Solution
If you have a long-standing viral infection of your liver (hepatitis B) it may flare
up. This can cause serious illness particularly if your liver is already not working
very well. If you have both HIV and hepatitis B, when you stop taking your 3TC oral
solution, your doctor is likely to arrange tests from time to time to check how well
your liver is working and to measure virus levels.
3TC oral solution is not addictive.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with 3TC oral solution and affect how it works.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect 3TC oral solution.
4. How do I use 3TC Oral Solution?
How much and when to take 3TC Oral Solution
Adults and adolescents 12 years and older the normal dose is 15 mL of solution twice
a day or 30ml of solution once a day. Your doctor may prescribe a different dosage.
For younger children between 3 months to 12 years of age the dose of 3TC will depend
on their weight in kilograms (kg). If you are giving 3TC oral solution to a child,
follow your doctor's instructions.
Follow the instructions provided and use 3TC oral solution until your doctor tells
you to stop.
How to take 3TC Oral Solution
3TC oral solution can be swallowed with a glass of water, if desired.
Because your medicine helps to control your condition, but does not cure it, you will
need to take the solution every day.
Do not stop taking your medicine without first talking to your doctor.
If you forget to use 3TC Oral Solution
3TC oral solution should be used regularly at the same time each day. If you miss
your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking
it as you would normally.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next
dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you take too much 3TC Oral Solution
If you think that you have used too much 3TC Oral Solution, you may need urgent medical
attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using 3TC Oral Solution?
Things you should do
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as prescribed.
Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment
unnecessarily.
Use proper precautions to prevent passing on HIV virus. You can still pass on HIV when taking this medicine, by sexual activity or by contamination
with infected blood, although the risk is lowered by effective antiretroviral therapy.
Discuss with your doctor the precautions needed to avoid infecting other people.
Keep in regular contact with your doctor. While taking 3TC oral solution and/or any other therapy for HIV disease, you may continue
to develop other infections and other complications of HIV infection.
If you are diabetic, blood sugar levels should be monitored, as each adult dose (15
mL) contains 3g of sugar.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
Become pregnant or are trying to become pregnant.
Have any problems while taking 3TC oral solution, even if you do not think the problems
are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using 3TC oral solution.
Things you should not do
Do not stop taking 3TC oral solution, or change the dose without first checking with
your doctor.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use 3TC oral solution to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says
to.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how 3TC oral
solution affects you.
3TC oral solution may cause dizziness in some people.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Looking after your medicine
Keep your 3TC oral solution in the bottle with the cap tightly closed until you take
or give it.
If you take 3TC oral solution out of its pack it may not keep well.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place where it stays below 25°C away from moisture, heat or
sunlight; for example, do not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a half metres above the ground is a good place
to store it.
When to discard your medicine
Discard 3TC oral solution if your doctor has told you to stop taking it, or the oral
solution has passed its expiry date.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What 3TC Oral Solution contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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Lamivudine 10 mg/mL
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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Sugar (20% sucrose)
Methyl hydroxybenzoate (218)
Propyl hydroxybenzoate (216)
Citric acid
Sodium citrate dihydrate
Propylene glycol
Purified water
Artificial strawberry and banana flavouring
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What 3TC Oral Solution looks like
3TC oral solution is a clear, colourless to pale yellow solution with strawberry and
banana flavours.
3TC oral solution is supplied in a white high-density polyethylene bottle, with a
plastic cap. The bottle contains 240 mL of solution for oral use only and is in a
carton.
(Aust R 64346).
Who distributes 3TC Oral Solution
ViiV Healthcare Pty Ltd
Level 4, 436 Johnston Street,
Abbotsford, Victoria, 3067
Phone: 1800 499 226
Counselling is also available from your local AIDS council.
This leaflet was prepared in February 2025.
Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the ViiV Healthcare group of companies.
© 2025 ViiV Healthcare group of companies or its licensor.
Version 8.0