Drug family: Combination of antiretrovirals
This medication is a generic of TRIZIVIR.
WHAT IS ABACAVIR/LAMIVUDINE/ZIDOVUDINE MYLAN PRESCRIBED FOR?
This medicine is a combination of three antiretrovirals active on the human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ). Its three components belong to the family of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. By blocking this enzyme , they prevent the reproduction of the virus in the infected cells, without however allowing its elimination. It is recommended to start treatment by taking abacavir, lamivudine and zidovudine separately for the first 6 to 8 weeks, before using this fixed combination.
It is used to treat adults with HIV infection .
You can consult the following article(s):
- HIV/AIDS
PRESENTATIONS OF THE DRUG ABACAVIR/LAMIVUDINE/ZIDOVUDINE MYLAN
The prices mentioned do not take into account the pharmacist's " dispensing fees ".
COMPOSITION OF THE DRUG ABACAVIR/LAMIVUDINE/ZIDOVUDINE MYLAN
| p cp | |
| Abacavir | 300mg |
| Lamivudine | 150mg |
| Zidovudine | 300mg |
CONTRAINDICATIONS OF THE DRUG ABACAVIR/LAMIVUDINE/ZIDOVUDINE MYLAN
history of allergy to abacavir,
end-stage renal failure (stage of renal failure requiring the use of dialysis or kidney transplantation),
low hemoglobin or white blood cell count .
ATTENTION
The abacavir contained in 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 .
Abacavir- related allergic reactions most commonly result in skin rash and/or fever. Other symptoms such as malaise, muscle pain, respiratory (difficulty breathing, cough, sore throat) or digestive (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea ) manifestations are also possible. In the face of any abnormal-looking symptom , 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.
This medication exposes you to a risk of a rare but serious complication: lactic acidosis . Certain signs may precede its occurrence by a few days to a few weeks: digestive manifestations (nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhoea ), neuromuscular symptoms (cramps or muscle pain, tingling in the limbs). Later, a deterioration in general condition (significant fatigue, weight loss) and respiratory symptoms (shortness of breath) appear. It is therefore important to consult in front of its signs and to carry out a blood test including a dosage of lactates. The aggravation of this complication can be brutal. Some risk factors are reported: obesity, female gender, certain specific situations (surgery, infection, pregnancy), certain associated treatments (in particular the treatment of hepatitis C with ribavirin and interferon alpha).
Taking abacavir could be associated with heart problems ( myocardial infarction ). If you smoke or have heart risk factors ( high blood pressure , hyperlipidemia), inform your doctor.
Anemia or a decrease in the number of certain white blood cells may occur during treatment with zidovudine: regular monitoring of the complete blood count is recommended.
Rare cases of inflammation of the pancreas ( pancreatitis ) have been observed. Contact your doctor quickly if you experience severe stomach and back pain.
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.
Lamivudine, which has antiviral activity against the hepatitis B virus . Therefore, in the event of chronic hepatitis B associated with HIV infection , reinforced biological monitoring is necessary after discontinuation of treatment (risk of reactivation of hepatitis ).
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/LAMIVUDINE/ZIDOVUDINE MYLAN WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
Combination with ribavirin, stavudine or certain drugs with kidney or bone marrow toxicity (such as systemic pentamidine , dapsone, pyrimethamine, cotrimoxazole, amphotericin, flucytosine, ganciclovir, interferon, vincristine, vinblastine and doxorubicin) is not advised or warrants increased biological monitoring.
Many other drugs (fluconazole, rifampicin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, valproic acid, methadone, isotretinoin, probenecid for example) are likely to interact with this drug.
This list is not exhaustive and the recommendations regarding the association with certain drugs depend on the situation and the importance of this associated treatment. It is best to ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on taking other medications, especially in the event of prolonged intake.
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 / LAMIVUDINE / ZIDOVUDINE MYLAN
This medication can be taken with or without meals.
USUAL DOSE:
Adult : 1 tablet, 2 times a day.
If a discontinuation or modification of the dosage of one of the components of this combination is necessary, each active substance (abacavir, lamivudine and zidovudine) is available separately.
TIPS
This medicine must be taken every day: make sure you always have a reserve.
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/LAMIVUDINE/ZIDOVUDINE MYLAN
Very common (more than 10% of patients): headache, nausea.
Common (1 to 10% of patients): dizziness , diarrhea , vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty digesting, rash , hair loss, cough, joint or muscle pain, fever, fatigue, general weakness, increased transaminases , low blood cells whiteness in the blood, anemia . Potentially serious allergic reaction (see Warning).
Uncommon: bloating , shortness of breath, itching, low blood platelets in the blood.
Rare: loss of appetite, taste alteration , nail and skin pigmentation, insomnia, anxiety, depression , tingling, frequent urination, hepatitis , pancreatitis , lactic acidosis (see Warning).
Bone damage, weight gain and an increase in the level of fats and glucose in the blood can be observed during antiretroviral treatments.
Immune reconstitution syndrome can occur when the immune system kicks back in and fights off existing infections, causing the infected area to become inflamed .
