Ziagen, Tablets

Chemical Name: ABACAVIR

Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects.

Common uses

This medicine is a nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) used along with other medicines to manage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Before using

WARNING: This drug can cause severe, even fatal, allergic reactions, liver problems, and blood acid-base balance (lactic acidosis) problems. 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 medicine and notify your doctor. Do not restart this medicine if an allergic reaction to this drug has occurred because more severe, life-threatening problems could occur (including low blood pressure and death). Also, if an allergic reaction is only suspected, this medicine should never be restarted. (See CAUTIONS regarding stopping and starting this medicine.) It is not known how long this drug will benefit those with HIV infection. 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. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking other HIV medicines that contain abacavir. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking methadone. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including, liver problems, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a abnormal liver function tests. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE COMES WITH A PATIENT MEDICATION GUIDE and warning card. Read them carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. CONTINUE TO USE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. If you are having trouble taking this medicine on schedule or if you are having side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to minimize these problems. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately (see Cautions section for more details).

Cautions

DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. Exceeding the recommended dose of this medicine may not provide additional benefits, and may increase the risks of side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. DO NOT STOP USING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. IF YOU EXPERIENCE skin rash, fever, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, cough, trouble breathing, throat inflammation, diarrhea, or stomach pain, seek immediate medical attention. Do not take any more doses of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. IF YOUR DOCTOR SAYS YOU HAVE HAD A HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTION TO THIS MEDICINE, never take this medicine again. If you stop using this medicine even for a short time and then restart the medicine, you have an increased chance of developing the very serious, potentially fatal, allergic reaction. THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT PREVENT YOU FROM SPREADING HIV through sexual contact. If you have any questions concerning how to prevent the spreading of HIV, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. THIS MEDICINE MAY NOT PREVENT OTHER INFECTIONS. If your health changes, check with your doctor. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. The use of abacavir, lamivudine, and tenofovir in combination may not be effective in treating HIV infection. If you are currently taking all three of these medicines, contact your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible to carefully review your medicines. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS DRUG IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.

Possible side effects

SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include headache, trouble sleeping, or loss of appetite. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience severe muscle pain or cramping, unusual weakness, or exhaustion. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience a rash, fever, nausea, vomiting, cough, trouble breathing, sore throat, diarrhea, flu-like illness, stomach or chest pain, severe dizziness, or fainting. Changes in body fat may occur while you are taking this medicine (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 unknown. Discuss the risks and benefits of therapy with your doctor, as well as the possible role of exercise to reduce this side effect. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug interactions

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 you take too much

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.