Lamivudine-Abacavir

 
Generic Name: abacavir and lamivudine

Brands: Epzicom

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What is the most important information I should know about Lamivudine-Abacavir?

· Fatal hypersensitivity reactions, lactic acidosis and severe liver problems, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of Lamivudine-Abacavir, alone or in combination. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience a skin rash, nausea, vomiting, or unusual or unexpected stomach discomfort; weakness and tiredness; sore throat; shortness of breath; cough; weakness in the arms and legs; yellowing of the skin or eyes; or pain in the upper stomach area. Your pharmacist can provide you with a card listing the symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction. Carry this card with you and notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of the symptoms listed. If you need to stop taking Lamivudine-Abacavir for any reason, do not start taking it again without first talking to your doctor. Dangerous, even fatal, allergic reactions have occurred when Lamivudine-Abacavir were restarted, even when no symptoms were present before.

· Serious cases of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) have been reported with the use of Lamivudine-Abacavir. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of pancreatitis including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain.

· Patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, who take Lamivudine-Abacavir and then stop taking it, may get "flare ups" of their hepatitis. "Flare up" is when the disease suddenly returns in a worse way than before. If you have HBV infection, your doctor should closely monitor your liver function for several months after stopping Lamivudine-Abacavir. You may need to take anti-HBV medicines.

· Avoid alcohol while taking Lamivudine-Abacavir. Alcohol may increase the risk of damage to the pancreas and/or liver.

· Follow your doctor's instructions with respect to high-risk activities such as unprotected sex and the sharing of needles. Lamivudine-Abacavir does not reduce the risk of passing the HIV or hepatitis B virus to others.

 

What is Lamivudine-Abacavir?

· Lamivudine-Abacavir is an antiviral medication. Lamivudine-Abacavir inhibits the reproduction of viruses in the body.

· Lamivudine-Abacavir are used to treat the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

· Lamivudine-Abacavir may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Lamivudine-Abacavir?

· Before taking Lamivudine-Abacavir, tell your doctor if you have:     ·kidney disease;     ·liver disease (including hepatitis B virus infection);     ·pancreatitis;     ·problems with your muscles; or     ·problems with your blood counts.

· You may not be able to take Lamivudine-Abacavir, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· Lamivudine-Abacavir is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Lamivudine-Abacavir will be harmful to an unborn baby. It is very important to treat HIV/AIDS during pregnancy to reduce the risk of infecting the baby. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

· It is not known whether Lamivudine-Abacavir passes into breast milk and what effect it may have on a nursing baby. To prevent transmission of the virus to uninfected babies, it is recommended that HIV-positive mothers not breast-feed.

 

How should I take Lamivudine-Abacavir?

· Take Lamivudine-Abacavir exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Take each dose with a full glass of water.

· Lamivudine-Abacavir can be taken with or without food.

· It is important to take Lamivudine-Abacavir regularly to get the most benefit.

· Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with Lamivudine-Abacavir to monitor progress and side effects.

· Store Lamivudine-Abacavir at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless your doctor directs otherwise.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention.

· Symptoms of a Lamivudine-Abacavir overdose are not known.

 

What should I avoid while taking Lamivudine-Abacavir?

· Follow your doctor's instructions with respect to high-risk activities such as unprotected sex and the sharing of needles. Lamivudine-Abacavir does not reduce the risk of passing the HIV or hepatitis B virus to others.

· Avoid alcohol while taking Lamivudine-Abacavir. Alcohol may increase the risk of damage to the pancreas and/or liver.

 

What are the possible side effects of Lamivudine-Abacavir?

· Fatal hypersensitivity reactions, lactic acidosis and severe liver problems, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of Lamivudine-Abacavir, alone or in combination. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience a skin rash, nausea, vomiting, or unusual or unexpected stomach discomfort; weakness and tiredness; sore throat; shortness of breath; cough; weakness in the arms and legs; yellowing of the skin or eyes; or pain in the upper stomach area. Your pharmacist can provide you with a card listing the symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction. Carry this card with you and notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of the symptoms listed. If you need to stop taking Lamivudine-Abacavir for any reason, do not start taking it again without first talking to your doctor. Dangerous, even fatal, allergic reactions have occurred when Lamivudine-Abacavir were restarted, even when no symptoms were present before.

· Serious cases of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) have been reported with the use of Lamivudine-Abacavir. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of pancreatitis including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain.

· Patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, who take Lamivudine-Abacavir and then stop taking it, may get "flare ups" of their hepatitis. "Flare up" is when the disease suddenly returns in a worse way than before. If you have HBV infection, your doctor should closely monitor your liver function for several months after stopping Lamivudine-Abacavir. You may need to take anti-HBV medicines.

· If you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives), stop taking Lamivudine-Abacavir and seek emergency medical attention.

· Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking Lamivudine-Abacavir and talk to your doctor if you experience     ·fatigue or tiredness;     ·mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased appetite;     ·headache;     ·depression, anxiety;     ·insomnia, abnormal dreams;     ·dizziness;     ·muscle or joint soreness;     ·fever or chills;     ·skin rash; or     ·redistribution of body fat (loss of fat from the arms, legs, and face and increased fat around the neck, breast, and trunk).

· 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.

 

What other drugs will affect Lamivudine-Abacavir?

· Do not take Lamivudine-Abacavir without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:     ·methadone (Dolophine, Methadose);     ·zalcitabine, ddC (Hivid);     ·lamivudine, 3TC (Epivir, Epivir-HBV);     ·abacavir (Ziagen);     ·lamivudine and zidovudine (Combivir); or     ·abacavir sulfate, lamivudine, and zidovudine (Trizivir).

· Lamivudine-Abacavir may interact with other medications resulting in reduced effectiveness and/or side effects. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, including herbal products.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has more information about Lamivudine-Abacavir written for health professionals that you may read.

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