Abacavir and lamivudine is an antiviral medication. It is in a group of human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medicines called reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Abacavir and
lamivudine helps keep the HIV virus from reproducing in the body.
Abacavir and lamivudine is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Abacavir and lamivudine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Abacavir and lamivudine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide. This medication should not be given to children under 18 years old.
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions
on your prescription label.
You may take abacavir and lamivudine with or without food.
Measure the liquid form of this medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not
a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where
you can get one.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your
condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication
guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses
or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS
should remain under the care of a doctor.
This medicine comes with a Medication Guide and a Warning Card that lists the
symptoms of an allergic reaction. Read this information carefully and carry the Warning Card
with you at all times so you will know what symptoms to watch for.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. You may
keep the oral solution (liquid) in the refrigerator but do not let it freeze.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any
of these signs of an allergic reaction to abacavir:
Group 1 - fever;
Group 2 - rash;
Group 3 - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
Group 4 - general tiredness, body aches;
Group 5 - shortness or breath, cough, sore throat.
Once you have had an allergic reaction to abacavir,
you must never use it again. If you stop taking abacavir and lamivudine for any reason,
talk to your doctor before you start taking the medication again.
You may have other serious side effects that may not be signs of an allergic reaction.
Continue using abacavir and call your doctor if you have any of these side effects:
stomach pain, low fever, lost appetite, dark urine, clay-colored
stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
muscle pain or weakness, numb or tingly feeling, and
nausea with vomiting;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.
Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your
arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk);
sleep problems or strange dreams;
headache, depression, anxiety; or
mild diarrhea.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take
abacavir and lamivudine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special monitoring during
treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect abacavir and lamivudine. Tell your
doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a
new medication without telling your doctor.
Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes. Taking this
medication will not keep you from passing HIV to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe
methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide.
Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine. The symptoms of an abacavir and lamivudine overdose are not known.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Do not allow this medicine to run out completely before you get your prescription
refilled. It is important that you not stop taking the medicine once you have started. If you miss
several doses, you may have a dangerous or even fatal allergic reaction once you start taking
abacavir again. If you stop taking abacavir and lamivudine for any reason, talk to your doctor
before you start taking the medication again.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any
of these signs of an allergic reaction: fever; rash; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach
pain; general tiredness, body aches; shortness of breath, cough, sore throat.
Once you have had an allergic reaction to abacavir and lamivudine, you
must never use it again.
Read the Warning Card that comes with this medication, and carry it with you at all times
so you will know the symptoms of allergic reaction to watch for.
Do not allow this medicine to run out completely before you get your prescription
refilled. If you miss several doses, you could have a dangerous or even fatal allergic reaction
when you start taking the medicine again. If you stop taking abacavir and lamivudine for any
reason, talk to your doctor before you start taking the medication again.
Do not take this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction
to abacavir. Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to any medicine that contains
abacavir, such as Combivir, Trizivir, or Ziagen. Once you have had an allergic
reaction to abacavir and lamivudine, you must never use it again.
This medication may cause lactic acidosis (the build up of lactic acid in the body).
Lactic acidosis symptoms can start slowly and gradually get worse. Symptoms include unusual
muscle pain and weakness, trouble breathing, fast or uneven heart rate, nausea, vomiting,
stomach pain, and numbness or cold feeling in your arms or legs. Contact your doctor at once if
you have any of these symptoms, even if they are only mild. Early signs of lactic acidosis
generally get worse over time and this condition can be fatal.
Your name may need to be listed on an abacavir patient registry when you start using this
medication.
Before taking abacavir and lamivudine, tell your doctor if you have kidney or disease,
including hepatitis. You may not be able to use this medication or you may need a dosage
adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. HIV can be passed
to the baby if the mother is not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV
medicines as directed to control your infection while you are pregnant.
You should not breast-feed while you are using abacavir. Women with HIV or AIDS
should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus
to the baby in your breast milk.
Abacavir and lamivudine is available with a prescription under the brand name Epzicom.
Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions
you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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