Epzicom

Generical name: abacavir and lamivudine

Brand name: Epzicom
Drug class: Antiviral combinations

What is Epzicom?

Epzicom includes a mix consisting of Abacavir along with lamivudine. Abacavir and lamivudine both are antiviral medications that stop the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying within your body.

Epzicom is a combination medication utilized in the treatment of HIV, a virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Epzicom isn’t a cure of HIV as well as AIDS.

Warnings

Epzicom can trigger severe or fatal adverse effects. Follow the instructions on the label of your medication and packaging. Inform your health professionals about your medical issues, allergies, and any medications you take.

It is not recommended to use Epzicom If you suffer from a liver condition or have ever been tested positive for a genetic variant known as HLA-B*5701. Don’t take this medication If you’ve ever experienced reactions to an allergen in any medication which contains lamivudine or abacavir.

Take a break from Epzicom and contact your doctor immediately if you notice indications for an allergic reaction Epzicom such as rash, fever nausea, vomiting stomach pain, diarrhea general discomfort fatigue, extreme discomfort; shortness of breath as well as cough and sore throat.

If you’ve had any experience with the virus B it could develop or become worse after stopping using Epzicom. It is possible that you will require frequent tests of your liver function for a period of time.¶

Before taking this medication, you must consult your physician

You shouldn’t make use of Epzicom If you have an allergy to lamivudine or abacavir, or

• If you suffer from liver disease
• If you’ve ever been positive for a gene variant known as HLA-B*5701, or
• If you’ve had allergies to any medication that has abacavir or lamivudine in it. ( Combivir, Epivir, Triumeq, Trizivir, Ziagen).

There is a chance that you will suffer from an illness called lactic acidosis. This is which is a risky buildup of the acid lactic inside your blood. This is likely if you suffer from any other medical condition and if you’re overweight or are a female. Consult your physician about the risks.

To be sure Epzicom is appropriate for you, consult your doctor that you have:

• the liver (especially the hepatitis B and C);
• kidney disease;
• heart issues or risk factors, such as the presence of diabetes cigarettes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or
• If you drink alcohol.

Speak to your physician if you are expecting, and make sure you use your medication correctly to prevent your infection. HIV is able to be passed on to your baby if the virus is not managed during pregnancy. Your name might be recorded on a registry in order to monitor the effects of antiviral medication on your baby.

Women who have HIV or AIDS shouldn’t breastfeed babies. Even if the baby is born with no HIV it is possible that the virus is passed on to the child through breast milk.

Epzicom should not be administered to any child who weighs below 55 pounds.

How to take Epzicom?

You should take Epzicom exactly as directed by your physician. Follow all instructions on your prescription label, and go through all the medication guides or instructions sheets.

Epzicom is a medicine that can be taken without or with food. Inform your doctor when a child who is using this medicine is having difficulty taking the tablet.

Epzicom includes the Medication Guide and a Warn Card with the symptoms that indicate the allergic reaction. Learn more about this information and discover the symptoms to look out for. Keep the Wallet Card close to you throughout the day.

Make sure to take all HIV medication as directed. Also, review all the medication instructions that you receive. Don’t alter your dosage or stop taking the medication without consulting your physician. Everyone suffering from HIV must remain under the supervision of a medical professional.

Place in a cool, dry place free of heat and moisture.

If you’ve ever suffered from Hepatitis B, the virus can become active or get more severe during the time following your quitting taking Epzicom. You could require a regular test of your liver’s function during the course of using this medication and for a few months following the last dose.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Epzicom for HIV Infection:

1 tablet, orally once a day

Use: In conjunction with other antiretroviral medications to treat HIV-1 infection

Usual Adult Dose of Epzicom for Nonoccupational Exposure:

US CDC recommendations: 1 tablet taken orally every day
Therapy duration Duration of therapy: 28 days

Comments:
Recommendation as a part of other regimens (NNRTI-based or protease inhibitor-based and/or triple NRTI) for postexposure to non-occupational prophylaxis for HIV disease
The procedure should be initiated whenever possible after 72 hours of exposure.
Current guidelines should be reviewed for more details.

Usual Adult Dose of Epzicom for Occupational Exposure:

US Public Health Service working group recommendations 1 tablet, orally at least once per day
Therapy duration: up to 28 days, in the event that you are it is tolerated

Comments:
Only after consultation with an expert as part of a different regimen to use for HIV prophylaxis after exposure.
The treatment should begin as soon as is possible and ideally within a few hours of the exposure.
The optimal time for prophylaxis is not known and could be different based on the protocols of the institution.
The current guidelines should be read for more details.

Usual Pediatric Dose of Epzicom for HIV Infection:

At least 25kg one tablet, orally every day

Comments:
The use of individual components is suggested for patients weighing who weigh less than 25kg The manufacturer’s product information for Epzicom is recommended to be reviewed.
Prior to prescribing this drug the ability to swallow tablets must be evaluated.

Use: When combined with other antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV-1 infection

What if I miss a dose?

You should take the medication as quickly as you are able, but do not take your missed dosage if it’s nearing the time to take the next dose. Don’t take two doses at a time.

Refill your prescription prior to the time of the expiration date of your medication completely. If you fail to take your doses, you may experience an extremely dangerous, or even fatal allergic reaction if you start taking this medicine in the future.

How do I react if take too much?

For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact for help at the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid?

This medicine won’t stop you from spreading HIV to others. Be sure to not engage in unprotected sexual sex or share toothbrushes or razors. Discuss with your physician ways to protect yourself from HIV transmission during sexual contact. Sharing needles with medicine or drug is not safe, even for a healthy individual.

Epzicom side effects

Consult your physician immediately if you exhibit indications of an allergic reaction to one or more of the following adverse reaction groups:

• Group 1 fever
• The second group is rash
• Group 3 – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
• The 4th Group consists of generally depressed feeling, severe fatigue and body aches
• Group 5 – breathlessness and cough, sore throat.

If you experience reactions to Abacavir, you shouldn’t ever for the next time. If you stop using this medication for any reason, speak to your doctor prior to beginning taking it again.

Contact your doctor at any time if you suffer from:

• other symptoms of an allergic reaction Other signs of allergic reaction itching, swelling of your throat or face Trouble breathing
• Lactic acidosis – muscle pain that is unusual and breathing problems stomach pain, vomiting rapid or irregular beats of the heart, fainting, being cold, feeling tired or weak;
• liver issues nausea and abdominal discomfort (upper right side) Itching, fatigue and dark urine, yellowish stool, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Abacavir and lamivudine can affect your immune system and could cause some adverse negative effects (even months or weeks after taking this medicine). Consult your physician whether you suffer from:

• indications of the onset of a new infection such as fever, night sweats glands swelling, cold sores cough, wheezing diarrhoea, weight loss;
• difficulties swallowing or speaking difficulties with balance, eye movement weak or prickly sensation trouble speaking or swallowing; or
• swelling in your throat or neck (enlarged thyroid) Menstrual fluctuations, impotence.

Common Epzicom side effects are:

• allergic reaction;
• depression Trouble sleeping;
• being tired or weak;
• headache, dizziness, migraine;
• nausea, diarrhea; or
• change in the form or position of your body fat (especially the arms the legs, face neck as well as breasts and trunk).

This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. other effects may also be present. Contact your doctor to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You can report adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other medications can impact Epzicom?

Other drugs can be incompatible with lamivudine and abacavir such as prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your physician about the medicines you are currently taking and any medication you begin or stop taking.

More details

Keep this and other medications away from the reach of children. Do not let your medications be shared with anyone else and make sure you take Epzicom only as that is prescribed.

Always consult your doctor to make sure the information presented on this page is applicable to your particular situation.