This drug is a generic of ZIAGEN.
WHAT IS ABACAVIR MYLAN PRESCRIBED FOR?
This medication is an antiretroviral active against the human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ). It belongs to the family of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. By blocking an enzyme of the virus , called transcriptase, it prevents its reproduction in the infected cells, without however allowing its elimination.
It is used, in combination with other antiretroviral medicines, in the treatment of HIV -infected adults and children .
You can consult the following article(s):
- VIH/sida
PRESENTATIONS OF THE DRUG ABACAVIR MYLAN
The prices mentioned do not take into account the pharmacist's " dispensing fees ".
COMPOSITION OF THE DRUG ABACAVIR MYLAN
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| Abacavir | 300 mg |
CONTRAINDICATIONS OF THE DRUG ABACAVIR MYLAN
This drug should not be used in case of a history of allergy to abacavir ( TRIUMEQ , TRIZIVIR , KIVEXA and their generics ...).
ATTENTION
This medicine exposes you to a risk of a potentially serious allergic reaction . This risk is increased in people carrying the HLA-B gene (type 5701). A test is always carried out before starting treatment to determine if you are a carrier of the gene . The drug can only be given to patients who test negative.
Allergic reactions to this medication almost always result in a rash or fever. Other symptoms such as respiratory manifestations (difficulty breathing, cough, sore throat) or digestive symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea , abdominal pain) are nevertheless possible. In the face of any sign of abnormal appearance, quickly inform your doctor who will decide what to do. It is advisable to keep with you the contact details of your doctor and the patient card mentioning the taking of this treatment.
If this medicine has been stopped due to a suspected allergic reaction , it should never be restarted. It is best to return the remaining tablets to the pharmacy to avoid any risk of error. Similarly, taking another drug containing abacavir is strictly contraindicated.
Taking abacavir may also be associated with a small increased risk of myocardial infarction . If you smoke or have heart risk factors ( high blood pressure , hyperlipidemia), inform your doctor.
Reinforced biological monitoring (assay of transaminases and markers of the infection) is necessary in the event of chronic hepatitis B or C associated with HIV infection or in the event of hepatic insufficiency .
Bone damage is possible with antiretrovirals, especially in cases of corticosteroid treatment , obesity , excessive alcohol consumption or depression of the immune system. Seek medical advice if you experience hip, knee or shoulder pain, joint stiffness or difficulty moving.
Antiviral treatment does not eliminate the risk of transmitting HIV to other people during sexual intercourse: you must continue to take appropriate protective measures (condoms).
INTERACTIONS OF THE DRUG ABACAVIR MYLAN WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
The combination of this medication with methadone or ribavirin may require special monitoring.
FERTILITY, PREGNANCY AND LACTATION
PREGNANCY :
The effect of this drug during pregnancy is not well known. If pregnancy occurs during treatment, tell your doctor.
Children born to mothers treated with this medicine during pregnancy should be subject to reinforced medical monitoring.
FEEDING WITH MILK :
HIV infection contraindicates breastfeeding.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE AND DOSAGE OF THE DRUG ABACAVIR MYLAN
This medication can be taken with or without meals.
The tablets should ideally be swallowed as they are. However, for patients who cannot swallow them, it is possible to crush them and mix them with a small amount of semi-solid food or liquid, then ingest the whole thing immediately.
The daily dose can be divided into 1 or 2 doses.
USUAL DOSE:
Adult and child weighing 25 kg or more : 1 tablet, morning and evening or 2 tablets, once a day.
Child over 3 months and weighing less than 25 kg :
Child weighing 20 to 25 kg: 1/2 tablet in the morning and 1 tablet in the evening or 1 tablet and a half per day.
Child weighing 14 to 19 kg: 1/2 tablet , morning and evening or 1 tablet, once a day .
TIPS
This treatment must be taken every day: make sure you always have a supply of medicine.
The activity of an antiretroviral treatment is maximum if you strictly respect the doses and the methods of taking. Otherwise, there is a risk of the appearance of viral resistance which can compromise the effectiveness of subsequent treatments.
The treatment requires regular monitoring to ensure good control of the infection and to prevent the occurrence of progressive complications (in particular opportunistic infections ). It is important to maintain regular contact with your attending physician.
Specific delivery conditions:
This drug, available in town and at the hospital, is a restricted prescription drug : it must be prescribed for the first time in the hospital (initial annual hospital prescription). The prescription can be renewed by the attending physician (for a maximum period of one year, if the examinations are satisfactory) but any modification requires a new hospital prescription. It must be renewed after 12 months obligatorily in the hospital.
The delivery of antiretrovirals is done on presentation of 2 prescriptions: the initial hospital prescription dating from less than 1 year and the renewal prescription from the city doctor identical to the latter.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE DRUG ABACAVIR MYLAN
Frequent (1 to 10% of cases): headache, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea , skin rash , fatigue, fever, torpor.
Most of these effects often occur in patients with an allergic reaction (see Caution). They worsen with continued treatment. The appearance of a rash requires urgent medical advice.
Very rare: pancreatitis , lactic acidosis (the risk is very low, but cannot be excluded).
Weight gain as well as an increase in fats and blood glucose levels may be observed during antiretroviral treatment.
Immune reconstitution syndrome is possible when the immune system kicks in and fights off existing infections, causing the infected area to become inflamed .