Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: ABACAVIR (a-BAK-a-vir)
This medicine is a nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) used for treating HIV infection with other medications.
WARNING: This medicine has caused severe and sometimes fatal allergic reactions. Contact your doctor right away if you develop fever; rash; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain; cough; sore throat, or trouble breathing; unusual tiredness or achiness; or general feeling of being unwell. Do NOT take this medicine again or take any other medicine that contains abacavir if you have had an allergic reaction to this medicine. You may be at risk for an even more severe allergic reaction. PATIENTS WHO HAVE A CERTAIN GENE TYPE called HLA-B*5701 have an increased risk of allergic reaction. A lab test may be performed before you start this medicine to see if you have this gene type. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE severe and sometimes fatal liver problems or high blood acid levels (lactic acidosis). Contact your doctor right away if you develop yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; pale stools; stomach pain; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; persistent loss of appetite; fast or difficult breathing; slow or irregular heartbeat; unusual weakness or tiredness; muscle pain or tenderness; unusual feeling of cold (eg, in arms or legs); or unusual drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking methadone or using alcohol. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including a history of heart problems (eg, heart attack), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have been tested and know whether or not you have a gene type called HLA-B*5701. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have had a recent abnormal liver function test or have moderate to severe liver problems. This medicine should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 3 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine has a MEDICATION GUIDE approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. THIS MEDICINE COMES WITH a warning card that provides information about recognition of allergic reactions. Carry the warning card of allergy symptoms with you. Tell your health care provider immediately about any side effects you experience while taking this medicine. TAKE THIS MEDICINE by mouth with or without food. USE A MEASURING DEVICE marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure how to measure your dose. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Taking this medicine at the same times each day will help you remember to take it. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine. LAB TESTS, including liver function and monitoring for hypersensitivity reactions, may be performed while you use this medicine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR before you take this medicine if you drink more than 3 drinks with alcohol per day. TELL YOUR DOCTOR OR DENTIST THAT YOU TAKE THIS MEDICINE before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. IF YOU MUST STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE for any reason other than a serious allergic reaction, do not start taking this medicine again without talking with your health care provider. If your health care provider decides that you may take this medicine again, you should do so only in a setting with other people in case you need immediate access to a doctor. WHEN YOUR MEDICINE SUPPLY IS LOW, get more from your doctor or pharmacist as soon as you can. Do not stop taking this medicine, even for a short period of time. If you do, the virus may grow resistant to the medicine and become harder to treat. CHANGES IN BODY FAT (eg, an increased amount of fat in the upper back, neck, breast, and trunk, and loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face) may occur in some patients taking this medicine. The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown. Discuss any concerns with your doctor. THIS MEDICINE DOES NOT STOP THE SPREAD OF HIV to others through blood or sexual contact. Use barrier methods of birth control (eg, condoms) if you have HIV infection. Do not share needles, injection supplies, or items like toothbrushes or razors. THIS MEDICINE IS NOT A CURE FOR HIV INFECTION. Patients may still get illnesses and infections associated with HIV. Remain under the care of your doctor. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Use this medicine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially liver, kidney, or heart problems. Caution is advised when using this medicine in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially fever; chills; rash; or ear, nose, or throat infection. FOR WOMEN: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. It is not known if this medicine is found in breast milk. MOTHERS INFECTED WITH HIV SHOULD NOT BREAST-FEED. There is a risk of passing the HIV infection or this medicine to the baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include headache; lack of energy; mild nausea; tiredness; trouble sleeping; unusual dreams; or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience burning, numbness, or tingling of the skin; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain or discomfort, numbness of an arm or leg, or sudden vision changes; ear pain; eye pain, redness, or swelling; fainting; fever or chills; general feeling of being unwell; mental or mood changes (eg, depression); mouth sores; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent dizziness; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; shortness of breath, cough, or sore throat; stomach pain; swollen lymph nodes; symptoms of lactic acidosis (eg, fast breathing; muscle pain; unusual cold feeling in the arms or legs; sluggishness; unusual drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness); symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, loss of appetite, severe or persistent tiredness); or unusual achiness or swelling. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Always carry the warning card that describes the symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction to this medicine. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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