Type of medicine: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor; antiretroviral (anti-HIV)
Generic and brand names: abacavir sulfate, oral; Ziagen
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat HIV infection.
It is usually taken with other medicines.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your provider if you have ever taken abacavir before. If you have never taken abacavir, you should have a blood test to find out if you carry the HLA-B*5701 allele. If the test is positive, you are at high risk for an allergic reaction.
Make sure your healthcare provider knows if you are taking or have ever taken abacavir (Ziagen), lamivudine (Epivir, Epivir-HBV), lamivudine/zidovudine (Combivir), zidovudine (Retrovir), abacavir/lamivudine (Epzicom), or abacavir/lamivudine/zidovudine (Trizivir).
Tell your healthcare provider if you regularly drink alcohol or have a history of alcohol abuse.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking this medicine. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine or change your dosage unless directed to do so by your healthcare provider.
Do not let your medicine run out. The amount of virus in your blood may increase if you stop the medicine, even for a short time.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
The medicine is available in tablets or liquid. If you have the liquid medicine, use a specially marked measuring spoon to measure each dose. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
Do not allow this medicine to run out before you get your prescription refilled. If you miss several doses, you could have a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction when you start taking the medicine again. If you stop taking this medicine for any reason, talk to your healthcare provider before you start taking the medicine again. You need to be around people who can provide or call for emergency medical care, if needed, when you start taking this medicine again.
Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.
Allergic reactions (some fatal) have occurred with abacavir. If you develop fever, rash, extreme tiredness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, severe muscle pain or weakness, an unexplained cough or sore throat, or severe stomach pain, stop taking abacavir and call your healthcare provider immediately. If you stop taking abacavir because you had an allergic reaction, never take abacavir again.
Your pharmacist will give you a Warning Card when you receive your medicine. Always carry the Warning Card with you that describes the symptoms of an allergic reaction to this medicine. If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may increase your risk of heart attack. Talk with your provider if you have heart problems, smoke, or suffer from diseases that increase your risk of heart disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
This medicine may cause a severe or life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis (a buildup of acid in your blood). Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop unexplained symptoms such as:
This medicine may cause severe or life-threatening liver problems. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have:
Treatment with this medicine may cause a change in the location of fat in your body. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
This medicine may cause immune reconstitution syndrome (IRS). As the immune system gets stronger, the body's responses to diseases such as Graves’ disease, polymyositis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome may also get stronger. Talk with your provider about this.
This medicine is not a cure for HIV infection. This medicine does not reduce the risk of infecting other people through sexual contact or blood contamination. There is no information about the effects of long-term treatments.
You will need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, swelling of your lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat; chest pain; dark urine; severe diarrhea; fever; light-colored bowel movements; unusual loss of appetite; unusual muscle or joint pain; feeling cold; severe nausea or tiredness; pale skin; severe muscle weakness; shortness of breath; severe stomach pain; seizures; severe dizziness; severe back or leg pain; tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands or feet; unexplained cough or sore throat; unusual bruising or bleeding; sores that don't heal; persistent vomiting; yellow skin or eyes; increasing drowsiness; any skin redness, peeling, or blisters.
Other: Vomiting, nausea, tiredness, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, trouble sleeping, changes in body fat, muscle or joint pain, nervousness, depression, abnormal dreams.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store the tablets at room temperature. You may store the liquid medicine at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
