Lamivudine, also known as 3TC, is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that is one of the most widely used antiviral medicines in Nigeria and globally. It is unique among antiretroviral drugs because it is effective against both HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV), making it particularly important in Nigeria where both infections are highly prevalent. Lamivudine works by blocking the reverse transcriptase enzyme that HIV and Hepatitis B virus need to replicate their genetic material inside human cells. By inhibiting this enzyme, lamivudine prevents the virus from multiplying, helping to reduce the viral load in the blood and allowing the immune system to recover. In Nigeria, lamivudine is most commonly encountered as a component of fixed-dose combination tablets such as TLD (Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir) and the older TLE (Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Efavirenz), which are the backbone of the national HIV treatment programme.
In the NAFDAC register
38 registered products
from 14 registration holders
What it costs online
Price varies — check with a pharmacy. This drug has not yet appeared in our fortnightly sampling of Nigerian online pharmacies.
Brands of Lamivudine in Nigeria
Those 38 products from 14 registration holders, counted in our October 2026 copy of the register, include combination products and older listings; below are the most common brands.
Lamivudine Price in Nigeria
Lamivudine-containing HIV treatment is supplied free of charge through Nigeria's public ART programme — patients at accredited treatment sites pay nothing for their antiretrovirals, which is why private retail listings are scarce and why we quote no price. If you are being charged for ART, ask for the nearest accredited treatment centre. Institutional and programme supply is handled by registered distributors.
We show a price here once it appears in our monthly sampling of Nigerian online pharmacies (MedPlus, HealthPlus), or when we have a reliable market figure. For now, confirm the current price directly with a licensed pharmacy.
How to Verify Your Lamivudine is Genuine
- 1Check for a valid NAFDAC registration number on the product packaging. All medicines legally sold in Nigeria must bear a NAFDAC number.
- 2Use the NAFDAC Mobile Authentication Service (MAS): scratch the security panel on the packaging and send the unique code via SMS to 38353 to confirm the product is genuine.
- 3Obtain lamivudine only from government ART treatment centres, NAFDAC-registered pharmacies, or accredited healthcare facilities. Avoid purchasing from open markets or unverified vendors.
- 4Inspect the packaging for signs of tampering, including broken seals, faded printing, or mismatched batch numbers and expiry dates.
- 5Compare the appearance of the tablets (colour, shape, size, markings) with what you have previously received. Report any differences to your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
- 6If purchasing from a private pharmacy, ensure the pharmacy has a valid Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) licence displayed and that a registered pharmacist is present.
Where to Buy
Buying Lamivudine wholesale, by the carton
Cartons of lamivudine are bought at Nigeria's open drug markets: Idumota Market in Lagos, Ariaria Market in Aba, Ogbogwu Market in Onitsha and Sabon Gari Market in Kano. Each guide says where the market is and how to buy there safely; where we list sellers, they are named.
- Idumota Market, Lagos · wholesale sellers in Idumota Market
- Ariaria Market, Aba
- Ogbogwu Market, Onitsha
- Sabon Gari Market, Kano
No shop we list has Lamivudine on its confirmed product list yet — the market guides still tell you where the trade happens and how to buy there safely.
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Wherever you buy, buy only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors — not roadside vendors — and verify the pack's NAFDAC registration before you pay. Buying Lamivudine in bulk or for resale? See how to buy medicines in bulk in Nigeria safely.
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What is Lamivudine?
Important note on availability in Nigeria: standalone lamivudine tablets (pure lamivudine 150mg, 300mg, or 100mg) are not currently registered with NAFDAC as single-ingredient products in the NAFDAC Greenbook. This is because Nigeria's national HIV treatment programme — in line with WHO guidance — has standardised on fixed-dose combinations such as TLD (tenofovir/lamivudine/dolutegravir), which combine lamivudine with one or two other antiretrovirals in a single tablet taken once a day. Every NAFDAC-registered product in Nigeria that contains lamivudine is a combination product. Patients treated through public ART centres receive these combinations free of charge under the national programme. If you are researching lamivudine for HIV or Hepatitis B treatment in Nigeria, the most relevant page is our entry on Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (TLD), which is the current first-line regimen.
Nigeria bears a significant dual burden of HIV and Hepatitis B. With approximately 1.9 million people living with HIV and an estimated 20 million people chronically infected with Hepatitis B — one of the highest HBV prevalence rates in the world — lamivudine plays a critical role in addressing both epidemics. For HIV treatment, lamivudine is always used in combination with other antiretroviral medicines, never alone, as monotherapy rapidly leads to drug resistance. The standard HIV dose is 150mg twice daily or 300mg once daily. For Hepatitis B, lamivudine can be used as a standalone treatment at a lower dose of 100mg once daily, although tenofovir is increasingly preferred as it has a higher barrier to resistance. Lamivudine is available at government ART treatment centres throughout Nigeria — from major teaching hospitals in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt to primary health centres in rural communities — where it is provided free of charge as part of the national HIV treatment programme supported by PEPFAR and the Global Fund.
An important clinical consideration with lamivudine is the risk of Hepatitis B flare upon discontinuation. Many HIV-positive patients in Nigeria are co-infected with Hepatitis B, and lamivudine (as part of their ARV regimen) provides dual coverage against both viruses. If lamivudine or the lamivudine-containing regimen is stopped abruptly — whether due to poor adherence, treatment switch, or stock-outs — the Hepatitis B virus can rebound dramatically, causing a severe hepatitis flare that can lead to liver failure and even death. This phenomenon is particularly dangerous because many patients may not know they are co-infected with Hepatitis B, as HBV is often asymptomatic for years. Healthcare providers at ART centres across Nigeria are trained to screen for Hepatitis B before starting or changing antiretroviral regimens. Patients should never stop taking their lamivudine-containing medication without medical supervision, and any changes to treatment should be managed carefully by a qualified healthcare provider.
What is Lamivudine used for?
In Nigeria, Lamivudine is commonly used for:
- Treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and children as part of combination antiretroviral therapy (always used with at least two other ARVs)
- Treatment of chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection at a dose of 100mg daily
- Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV during pregnancy and delivery
- Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following accidental needle-stick injuries or sexual exposure to HIV
- Component of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimens in some settings
- Dual coverage for HIV-Hepatitis B co-infected patients when used as part of TLD or other combination regimens
Dosage
IMPORTANT
Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.
Adults
For HIV treatment: 150mg twice daily (every 12 hours) or 300mg once daily as part of a combination antiretroviral regimen. For Hepatitis B treatment: 100mg once daily. The 100mg dose for Hepatitis B is NOT adequate for HIV treatment — patients co-infected with both HIV and HBV must receive the full HIV dose of 300mg daily (usually as part of a fixed-dose combination). Tablets should be swallowed whole with water and can be taken with or without food.
Children
For HIV treatment in children: the dose is calculated based on body weight, typically 4mg per kg of body weight twice daily, up to a maximum of 150mg twice daily. Lamivudine oral solution (10mg/ml) is available for children who cannot swallow tablets. For children weighing over 25kg who can swallow tablets, the adult dose may be used. Always follow the dosing instructions provided by the prescribing clinician.
Elderly
The standard adult dose is generally used for elderly patients with normal kidney function. However, since lamivudine is primarily excreted by the kidneys, dose reduction may be necessary in elderly patients with impaired renal function. Kidney function should be assessed before starting treatment and monitored periodically.
It is critically important to understand the different dosing for HIV versus Hepatitis B. Never use the 100mg Hepatitis B dose for an HIV-positive patient, as this will lead to suboptimal HIV treatment and drug resistance. If you are taking lamivudine for Hepatitis B and are subsequently diagnosed with HIV, your dose will need to be increased and additional ARVs added. Never stop lamivudine abruptly without medical supervision, especially if you have Hepatitis B co-infection. Store at room temperature, away from moisture and direct sunlight.
Side Effects
General information for a reader holding a pack, not a substitute for a doctor or pharmacist. If something on the serious list is happening, seek care now.
Common side effects
- •Headache — one of the most frequently reported side effects, usually mild
- •Nausea and vomiting — typically occurs early in treatment and improves over time
- •Fatigue and malaise — generally mild and transient
- •Diarrhoea — usually self-limiting
- •Insomnia or sleep disturbances
- •Abdominal pain or discomfort
Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately
- Lactic acidosis — a rare but potentially fatal condition associated with NRTI use. Symptoms include persistent nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid breathing, and extreme tiredness.
- Hepatitis B flare — severe worsening of Hepatitis B can occur if lamivudine is discontinued in co-infected patients, potentially leading to liver failure
- Pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas causing severe abdominal pain radiating to the back, particularly reported in children
- Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) — can occur with lactic acidosis as part of mitochondrial toxicity
- Severe anaemia or neutropenia — particularly when used with zidovudine (AZT)
- Peripheral neuropathy — numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands and feet
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe abdominal pain, persistent nausea and vomiting, rapid or difficult breathing, extreme fatigue, muscle pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, or unusual bleeding or bruising. These may be signs of serious complications such as lactic acidosis, pancreatitis, or liver problems. In Nigeria, visit your ART treatment centre or the nearest hospital emergency department. If you have Hepatitis B and your lamivudine supply is interrupted due to stock-outs or any other reason, contact your healthcare provider urgently — do not simply stop taking the medication.
Warnings & Precautions
General information for a reader holding a pack, not a substitute for a doctor or pharmacist. If something on the serious list is happening, seek care now.
Do not take Lamivudine if you have:
- Known hypersensitivity or allergy to lamivudine or any component of the formulation
- Severe hepatic impairment — use with extreme caution and close monitoring
- Should not be used as monotherapy for HIV — must always be combined with other antiretrovirals to prevent rapid development of resistance
Drug interactions
- •Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Septrin/cotrimoxazole) — commonly used for opportunistic infection prophylaxis in HIV patients in Nigeria; increases lamivudine blood levels by about 40% but dose adjustment is not usually required at standard doses
- •Emtricitabine (FTC) — should not be used together with lamivudine as they are structurally similar and provide no additional benefit while increasing toxicity risk
- •Zalcitabine — co-administration is not recommended due to overlapping toxicity profiles
- •Sorbitol-containing medicines — can reduce lamivudine absorption; avoid co-administration where possible
- •High-dose cotrimoxazole (for PCP treatment) — may significantly increase lamivudine levels and require monitoring
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Lamivudine is considered safe for use during pregnancy and is a key component of antiretroviral regimens used for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in Nigeria. It is included in TLD, which is now the recommended first-line regimen for pregnant women living with HIV. Lamivudine does cross the placenta and is excreted in breast milk, but the benefits of preventing HIV transmission to the baby far outweigh the risks. In Nigeria, where breastfeeding is culturally important and formula feeding may not be safe due to water quality concerns, the WHO and Nigerian guidelines recommend that HIV-positive mothers on effective ART (including lamivudine-containing regimens) should breastfeed for up to 12 months while maintaining excellent adherence to their medication.
Related Resources for Lamivudine
Guides, articles, and tools related to Lamivudine and other anti-hiv/arvs medicines in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- •NAFDAC Greenbook — the official database of all products registered with Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Brand-level NAFDAC numbers for Lamivudine on this page were cross-referenced against the Greenbook.
- •WHO Model List of Essential Medicines — Lamivudine is included in the WHO's list of essential medicines, meaning it is considered essential for basic healthcare needs.
- •British National Formulary (BNF) dosing and interaction guidance for Lamivudine.
- •Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health).
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