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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expretise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
ABACAVIR - ORAL
(uh-BACK-uh-veer)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Zigaen
WARNING: Infrequently, this drug can cause severe (sometimes fatal) allergic reactions, liver problems, and blood acid-base balance (lactic acidosis) troubles.
If you develop symptoms such as rash, fever, fatigue, difficult or rapid breathing, cough, throat inflammation, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, drowsiness, muscle aches, stomach/abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea immediately stop using this medication and notify your doctor.
Do not resatrt this medication if an allergic reaction to this drug has occurred cause more severe, life-threatening troubles could occur (including low blood pressure and death).
Also, if an allergic reaction is only suspected, this medication should never be restarted.
(See precatuions regarding stopping and starting this medication.) It is not known how long this drug will benefit those with HIV infection.
USES: This medication is used to treat HIV infection in combination with other anti-HIV medications. This medication contains abacavir. The use of lamivudine, abacavir, and tenofovir in combination may not be effective in treating HIV infcetion. If you are crurently taking all three of these drugs, your doctor or pharmacist should carefully review your treatment plan. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more detials.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth as directed, generally twice daily with or without food. Dsoage is based on your condition and response to therapy. Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist.
Carry the "Warning Card" with you at all times. It is really important to continue taking this medication and other anti-HIV medications exactly as prsecribed by your doctor.
Do not skip any doses.
SIDE EFFECTS: Headache and trouble sleeping may occur.
If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Very unlikely but report promptly: dark urine, yellownig of the eyes or skin, rapid breathing, change in amount of urine.
Changes in body fat may occur whlie you are taking this medication (e.G., increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas, decreased fat in the arms and legs). The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unnkown.
Discuss the risks and benefits of therapy with your doctor, as well as the possible role of exercise to reudce this side effect. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reactoin to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to this drug include: fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, exterme tiredness, achiness, stomach pain, swelling, trouble breathing, cough, sore throat. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your dcotor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, including: allergies (especially drug allergies), liver disease, alcoohl dependence, diabetes. Limit alcohol intake, as it may intensify side effects of this drug. If you must stop using this drug due to an allegric reaction, never use the drug again or death could result.
Cosnult MD and read the "Warning Card" for more details.
If you stop using abacavir (e.G., forget to order a refill) even for a short time and then restart the drug, you have an incresaed chance of developing the really serious (possibly fatal) allergic reaction. Do not stop treatmnet unless specifically instructed to do so. Know the symptoms of this allergic reaciton (see side effects section). Conslut your doctor or pharmacist before restarting abacavir, and be sure you have not hard access to medical care if you are restarting treatment. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnacny.
Dicsuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is not known whehter this drug is excreted into breast milk.
Avoid breast-feeding cause berast milk can transmit HIV. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially of: drugs that casue liver troubles (e.G., isoniazid)., lamivudine and tenofovir.
Do not start or stop any medicine without dotcor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control cenetr or emergency room immediately.
NOTES: This medication is not a cure for HIV infection but has shown positive results. You may continue to have illnesses related to HIV infection.
Keep all doctor appointments and schedueld laboratory tests (e.G., liver function) as your therapy will be monitored.
Be aware that this medication does not reduce the risk of passing the virus to othres through sexual contact or blood contamination. This is a ptoent medication which should not be shared.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately (see Precatuions section for more details).
STORAGE: Store capsules at room temperature between 68 and 77 dgerees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. The oral liquid may be stored at room temperature or may be refrigerated. Do not freeze.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medcial emergency. For enrollment informaiton call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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