Uses of Abacavir, Dolutegravir and Lamivudine
Lamivudine and abacavir are medications found in a class known as nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Dolutegravir is a medication found in the class named integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs). Abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine are either used in a combination by themselves or used with other medications in order to help treat HIV patients in adults as well as children. These individuals must weigh more than 88 lbs (40 kg). The medication works by reducing the amount of HIV in the blood and by also increasing the amount of immune cells, which in turn can help to fight off infections within the body. Abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine is unable to permanently cure HIV but can reduce the chance of further developing AIDS (immunodeficiency syndrome) and other related illnesses such as infections or cancer, from HIV. Abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine may also reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others when used in conjunction with other preventative measures such as practicing safe sex in addition to using other medications.
Call your physician right away if you develop one or more symptoms from the following groups to see if you should stop taking abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine:
- Group 1: having fever
- Group 2: rash
- Group 3: nausea, wanting to throw up, having diarrhea, or stomach-area pain
- Group 4: generally ill feeling, extreme tiredness, or feeling aches all around the body
- Group 5: having a shortness of breath, cough, or having sore throat
Side Effects of Abacavir, Dolutegravir and Lamivudine
Excessive tiredness; weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness; fast or irregular heartbeat; muscle pain; stomach pain with nausea and vomiting; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, or cough; or feeling cold, especially in the arms or legs.
Light-colored bowel movements; yellowing of the skin or eyes; loss of appetite; unusual bleeding or bruising; dark yellow or brown urine; or pain in the upper right part of the stomach.
Abacavir, Dolutegravir, and Lamivudine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking Abacavir, Dolutegravir, and Lamivudine:
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Abacavir, Dolutegravir, and Lamivudine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in the tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking dofetilide (Tikosyn). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take Abacavir, Dolutegravir, and Lamivudine if you are taking this medication.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, others); dalfampridine (Ampyra); other medications for HIV including Abacavir (in Epzicom, in Trizivir, Ziagen), Dolutegravir (Tivicay), efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla), emtricitabine (Emtriva, in Atripla, in Complera, in Truvada, others), etravirine (Intelence), fosamprenavir (Lexiva) taken with ritonavir (Norvir), lamivudine (Epivir, in Combivir, in Epzicom, in Trizivir, others), nevirapine (Viramune), and tipranavir (Aptivus) taken with ritonavir (Norvir); metformin (Glumetza, Glucophage, Riomet); methadone (Dolophine, Methadose); oxcarbazepine (Oxtellar XR, Trileptal); phenobarbital; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater); and sorbitol or medications that contain sorbitol. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- If you are taking antacids, laxatives, or multivitamins that contain aluminum, magnesium, or calcium; calcium supplements; iron supplements; sucralfate (Carafate); or buffered medications such as buffered aspirin, take abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after you take these medications. Tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John’s wort. You should not take St. John’s wort while you are taking abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine.
- Tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol, or if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or heart or kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You will need to take a pregnancy test before you start treatment. You should not become pregnant while you are taking abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine. Talk to your doctor about effective birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, call your doctor immediately. Dolutegravir may harm the fetus.
- Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed if you are infected with HIV or if you are taking abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine.
- Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages and medications that contain alcohol while you are taking abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine.
- You should know that while you are taking medications to treat HIV infection, your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight other infections that were already in your body. This may cause you to develop symptoms of those infections. If you have new or worsening symptoms at any time during your treatment with abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine, be sure to tell your doctor.
Dosage
The combination of abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once daily with or without food. Take abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take the medication exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine help to control HIV infection but do not cure it. Continue to take abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine without talking to your doctor.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to abaloparatide injection.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
