If you stop EPZICOM for any other reason, even for a few days, and you are not allergic to EPZICOM, talk with your healthcare professional before taking it again. Taking EPZICOM again can cause a serious or life-threatening reaction, even if you never had an allergic reaction before. If your healthcare professional tells you that you can take EPZICOM again, start taking it when you are around medical help or people who can call a doctor if you need one.
A buildup of lactic acid in the blood and an enlarged liver, including fatal cases, have been reported.
Do not take EPZICOM if your liver does not function normally.
Some patients infected with both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV have worsening of hepatitis after stopping lamivudine (a component of EPZICOM). Discuss any change in treatment with your doctor. If you have both HBV and HIV and stop treatment with EPZICOM, you should be closely monitored by your doctor for at least several months.
Worsening of liver disease (sometimes resulting in death) has occurred in patients infected with both HIV and hepatitis C virus who are taking anti-HIV medicines and are also being treated for hepatitis C with interferon with or without ribavirin. If you are taking EPZICOM as well as interferon with or without ribavirin and you experience side effects, be sure to tell your doctor.
When you start taking HIV medicines, your immune system may get stronger and could begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body, such as pneumonia, herpes virus, or tuberculosis. If you have new symptoms after starting your HIV medicines, be sure to tell your doctor.
Changes in body fat may occur in some patients taking antiretroviral
therapy. These changes may include an increased amount of fat in the upper
back and neck ("buffalo hump"), breast, and around the trunk. Loss of fat
from the legs, arms, and face may also occur. The cause and long-term
health effects of these condi
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