Abacavir Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name :  Abacavir

Brand Names: Ziagen

TradeName : ABAMUNE

Drug Class : Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Abacavir is an anti-HIV medication. It is used to treat HIV, a retrovirus. Abacavir has good oral bioavailability, as demonstrated in animals, and penetrates the CNS. It is phosphorylated to active metabolites that compete for incorporation into viral DNA. This has to occur before HIV's genetic code gets inserted into an infected cell's own genetic codes. Retroviruses use the genetic material in the body's cells to produce more virus which can infect other cells. If you take abacavir with other ARVs, you can reduce your viral load to extremely low levels, and increase your CD4 cell counts. Abacavir is a type of drug called a nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor, or nuke. asthenia were the most common adverse events reported with abacavir alone or in combination with other anti-HIV agents.

Abacavir Dosage:

• Abacavir is available as 300 mg tablets.
• The usual dose is 1 tablet (300mg) two times a day.
• A strawberry/banana flavored liquid is available. Take missed dose as soon as possible, but do not double up on your next dose.

Uses of Abacavir:

• It is used to treat HIV, a retrovirus.
• However, NRTIs are recommended to be used in combination with other groups of HIV medications in order to be effective. Epzicom also decreases the amount of HIV in the blood.

Side effects of Abacavir:

The following side effects of Abacavir may includes:

• Discolored urine.
• Diarrhea.
• Enlarged salivary glands.
• Stomach pain.
• Eye discoloration (pale yellow).
• Rash (60-70%).
• Headache/feeling bad/no energy (60%).
• Trouble breathing.
• Dizziness.
• Fatigue and bodily discomfort.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Sore throat.
• Vomiting..
• Increased appetite.
• Increased liver enzymes.

Warning and precautions before taking Abacavir :

• Keep this drug out of reach of children.
• Do not allow this medicine to run out completely before you get your prescription refilled.
• If you think you are having an allergic reaction to this medication, stop using this medication and seek medical attention immediately.
• In addition to the condition listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You should not breast-feed while taking abacavir.
• It is important that you not stop taking the medicine once you have started.
• This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: ribavirin , zalcitabine.

Drug Interaction :

Abacavir has no effect on the pharmacokinetic properties of ethanol. A doctor should be notified of any other medications, prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter), or herbal medications, also being taken.

Overdosage:

• Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
• There is no known antidote for abacavir. It is not known whether abacavir can be removed by peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis.
• Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, drowsiness, or mental/mood changes.
• US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.