This product contains 3 drugs: abacavir, dolutegravir,
and lamivudine. It is used to help control HIV infection. It helps to
decrease the amount of HIV in your body so your immune system can work
better. This lowers your chance of getting HIV complications (such as new
infections, cancer) and improves your quality of life. Abacavir and
lamivudine belong to a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse
transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Dolutegravir belongs to a class of drugs
known as integrase inhibitors.
This medication is not a cure for HIV infection. To
decrease your risk of spreading HIV disease to others, continue to take all
HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Use an effective
barrier method (latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams) during sexual
activity as directed by your doctor. Do not share personal items (such as
needles/syringes, toothbrushes, and razors) that may have contacted blood
or other body fluids. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more
details.
Read the Medication Guide and Warning Card provided by
your pharmacist before you start taking this medication and each time you
get a refill. Carry the Warning Card with you at all times. If you have any
questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not change dosage forms of this medication without
checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Do not chew, cut, or crush the
tablets. If you are taking certain other medications, your doctor may
direct you to take additional dolutegravir. Carefully follow your doctor's
directions.
Take this medication at least 2 hours before or 6 hours
after taking sucralfate and products containing aluminum or magnesium (such
as antacids, laxatives, buffered medications). These products bind with
dolutegravir, decreasing its effectiveness.
If you are also taking calcium or iron supplements
(including vitamins/minerals that contain calcium or iron), take this
medication at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after these products. Or if
you take this medication with food, you can take the supplements at the
same time.
If you stop taking any medication containing abacavir
even for a short time and then restart the drug, you have an increased
chance of developing a very serious (possibly fatal) allergic reaction.
Refill your medication before you run out. Do not stop treatment unless
directed by your doctor. Before restarting any medication containing
abacavir, consult your doctor or pharmacist, and be sure you have easy
access to medical care.
It is very important to keep taking this medication (and
other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip
any doses.
For the best effect, take this medication at evenly
spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time
every day.
Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed or
stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time unless
directed to do so by your doctor. Doing so may cause the amount of virus to
increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen
side effects.
See also Warning and How to Use sections.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
As your immune system gets stronger, it can begin to
fight off infections you already had, possibly causing disease symptoms to
come back. You could also have symptoms if your immune system becomes
overactive. This reaction may happen at any time (soon after starting HIV
treatment or many months later). Get medical help right away if you have
any serious symptoms, including:
- unexplained weight loss
- severe tiredness
- muscle aches/weakness that doesn't go away
- headaches that are severe or don't go away
- joint pain
- numbness/tingling of the hands/feet/arms/legs
- vision changes
- signs of infection (such as fever, chills, swollen lymph
nodes, trouble breathing, cough, non-healing skin sores)
- signs of an overactive thyroid (such as irritability,
nervousness, heat intolerance, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, bulging
eyes, unusual growth in the neck/thyroid known as a goiter)
- signs of a certain nerve problem known as Guillain-Barre
syndrome (such as unsteadiness, loss of coordination, trouble
swallowing/speaking/chewing, trouble moving your eyes)
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- mental/mood changes (such as depression, anxiety)
- easy bruising/bleeding
- signs of anemia (such as unusual tiredness, fast breathing,
pale skin, fast heartbeat)
- signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of
urine)
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- signs of pancreatitis (such as nausea, vomiting,
stomach/abdominal/back pain, fever)
Rarely, this medication has caused severe (sometimes
fatal) liver problems and a buildup of lactic acid in the blood (lactic
acidosis). These serious side effects may occur more often in women and
obese patients. Get medical help right away if you have any of the
following serious symptoms, including:
- symptoms of liver problems (such as nausea/vomiting that
doesn't stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing
eyes/skin, dark urine)
- symptoms of lactic acidosis (such as deep/rapid breathing,
drowsiness, nausea/vomiting)
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to abacavir, dolutegravir, or lamivudine; or
if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive
ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to
your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- kidney problems
- liver problems (such as hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis)
- disease of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- alcohol use
Abacavir may increase your risk of a heart attack.
Discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and ways to
lower your risk of heart disease. Tell your doctor if you have heart
problems, if you smoke, or if you have other conditions that increase your
risk of heart disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high
cholesterol levels.
Limit alcoholic beverages, because they can increase the
risk of liver problems and pancreatitis.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this
medication. Treatment can lower the risk of passing HIV infection to your
baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
This medication passes into breast milk. Because breast
milk may transmit HIV, consult your doctor before
breastfeeding.
See also How to Use section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug
include:
- dofetilide
- orlistat
- sorbitol
Do not take this medication with other products
(including those that treat HIV infection) that contain abacavir,
lamivudine, or emtricitabine.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as viral load, T-cell
counts, blood tests, liver/kidney function) should be done while you are
taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab
appointments.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is less than 4 hours before the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take
your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store in the original bottle at room temperature away
from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep the drying
agent (desiccant) in the bottle. Tightly close the bottle when not in use.
Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.