Once you have had an allergic reaction to abacavir and lamivudine, you
must never use it again.
You may need a blood test before you start taking abacavir and lamivudine for the first
time, or if you are restarting the medication after stopping for reasons not related to an allergic
reaction.
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.
What is abacavir and lamivudine?
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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking abacavir and lamivudine?
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.
You may need a blood test before you start taking abacavir and lamivudine for the first
time, or if you are restarting the medication after stopping for reasons not related to an allergic
reaction.
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 liver
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.
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