Lamivudine (3TC): Chemical Structure, Mechanism of Action & Uses

Chemical Formula:

• C8H11N3O3S

Structure of Lamivudine

Mechanism of Action:

• Lamivudine is an NRTI that works against both HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV).

• It is a nucleoside analogue that, after phosphorylation into its active form, competes with natural nucleotides for incorporation into the growing viral DNA chain by reverse transcriptase or HBV polymerase, leading to chain termination and inhibition of viral replication.

Uses:

• Lamivudine is used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV infection