Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

Lamiduvine (Epivir)

Lamiduvine inhibits the HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme, preventing viral RNA from being converted into DNA, thus halting viral replication.

Lamiduvine, also known as Epivir, is an antiretroviral medication primarily used in the treatment of HIV infection. It is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that works by blocking the enzyme reverse transcriptase, which is essential for viral replication. The drug is often used in combination with other antiretrovirals to enhance its effectiveness and reduce the risk of resistance. Despite its efficacy, Lamiduvine has several side effects, including headache, nausea, and fatigue. The drug is not approved by the FDA, and its use is primarily in clinical settings or under specific guidelines.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Lamiduvine is a nucleoside analog that is phosphorylated intracellularly to its active triphosphate form. This active form competes with natural deoxynucleotides for incorporation into the growing viral DNA chain, leading to chain termination and inhibition of viral replication.

Approved indications

Common side effects

• Headache
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Insomnia

Drug interactions

• Zidovudine
• Ribavirin

Key clinical trials

• Atazanavir and Lamivudine for Treatment Simplification (PHASE4)

Patents

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• Lamiduvine (Epivir) CI brief — competitive landscape report
• Lamiduvine (Epivir) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• Catholic University of the Sacred Heart portfolio CI