Abacavir

The recommended dose for adults, adolescents, and children, weighing at least 25 kg, is 600 mg daily. This may be taken as 300 mg taken twice a day or 600 mg taken once a day.

The recommended dose for children older than 3 months, and who weigh less than 25 kg is based on body weight. The usual dose is 8 mg per kilogram of body weight taken 2 times a day, up to a maximum dose of300 mg taken twice daily. Alternatively, a once daily dose of 16 mg per kg of body weight may be taken, up to a maximum of 600 mg once daily.

Abacavir must be taken in combination with other medications to treat HIV infection and it may be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Use an oral syringe to measure each dose of the liquid, as it gives a more accurate measurement than household teaspoons.

It is important that be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store both the tablet and the liquid forms of at room temperature, and keep them out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause headaches; it may cause diarrhea; it may cause unusual tiredness; it may cause muscle pain; it may cause nausea and vomiting; it may cause unusual dreams. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Each yellow, modified capsule-shaped, scored, biconvex, film coated tablet engraved with "APO" on one side and "AB" bisect "300" on the other side contains abacavir sulfate equivalent to 300 mg of abacavir. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxy propylmethyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide and yellow iron oxide.

Do not take abacavir - lamivudine if you:

• are allergic to abacavir, lamivudine, or any ingredients of the medication
• have had a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir or any medication containing abacavir
• have reduced liver function
• have a genetic variation known as HLA-B*5701

There may be an interaction between abacavir - lamivudine and any of the following:

• alcohol
• co-trimoxazole (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim)
• emtricitabine
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• Methadone
• Orlistat
• other medications that contain abacavir or lamivudine
• retinoid medications (e.g., Isotretinoin)
• sorbitol
• Trimethoprim

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with . Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use .

Heart Attack: may increase your risk of heart attack. If you have heart problems, smoke, have high blood pressure or have Diabetes, discuss with your doctor how may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of , and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Hepatitis B: If you have hepatitis B, your condition may worsen or recur if you stop taking . Do not stop taking unless recommended by your doctor. If your doctor recommends that you stop taking , they will monitor you for several months after stopping treatment.

Hypersensitivity reactions: can cause serious and sometimes fatal, hypersensitivity reactions. If you experience any of the following sets of symptoms, stop taking and contact your doctor immediately:

• fever
• headache
• rash
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain
• severe tiredness, achiness, or generally feeling ill
• sore throat, shortness of breath, or cough

These reactions usually occur within 6 weeks of starting , but may occur at any time. If you have previously had an allergic reaction to abacavir or a medication that contains abacavir, you should not take .

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome: may cause immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, where signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections appear. These symptoms occur soon after starting anti-HIV medication and can vary. They are thought to occur as a result of the immune system improving and being able to fight infections that have been present without symptoms (such as pneumonia, herpes, or Tuberculosis). Report any new symptoms to your doctor as soon as possible.

Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause lamivudine to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of , and whether any special monitoring is needed. People with severely reduced kidney function should not take .

Lactic acidosis and enlarged fatty liver: Lamivudine can cause a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis (build-up of lactic acid in the blood) together with an enlarged liver. This tends to occur more often in women, especially if they are overweight. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• abdominal pain, swelling, or bloating
• diarrhea
• fatigue
• feeling unwell
• nausea
• shortness of breath
• vomiting
• weakness
• weight loss

Your doctor will monitor your liver function periodically by ordering laboratory tests.

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause abacavir to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced liver function or liver disease, discuss with your doctor how may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of , and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): Abacavir - lamivudine may cause or worsen pancreatitis. If you have a history of or are at risk for developing pancreatitis, you should be closely monitored by your doctor while taking . If you develop signs of pancreatitis (e.g., upper left abdominal pain, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen), contact your doctor.

Red blood cells: Pure red cell aplasia is a rare bone marrow disorder in which there is a reduction in red blood cells produced by the bone marrow. Symptoms include pallor, weakness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and decreased blood pressure. If you experience any of these symptoms contact your doctor immediately.

Stopping the medication: If you stop taking , your HIV infection could get worse. Take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor, and do not stop taking the medication without checking with your doctor first.

Pregnancy: should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking , contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Lamivudine and abacavir pass into breast milk. Women who have HIV infection are cautioned against breast-feeding because of the risk of passing HIV to a baby who does not have the infection.

Children: may be used by children less than 18 years of age who weigh more than 25 kg. Although both abacavir and lamivudine have been used to treat HIV for children, the doses of the ingredients in cannot be adjusted and may not be appropriate for people who weigh less than 25 kg.

Seniors: People over the age of 65 years may be more at risk of side effects from .

This medication is typically used twice a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. It must be used regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Be sure to keep an adequate supply on hand. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up. This medication may be taken with or without food.