Ziagen (Abacavir Sulfate)

Abacavir (a ba ka' vir) Ziagen® Epzicom® (as a combination product containing Abacavir, Lamivudine) Abacavir may cause a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction. Call your doctor immediately if you develop one symptom from two or more of the following groups to see if you should stop taking abacavir: Group 1: fever Group 2: rash Group 3: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach area pain Group 4: generally ill feeling, extreme tiredness, or achiness Group 5: shortness of breath, cough, or sore throat Your pharmacist will give you a Warning Card when you receive your medication to carry with you. The Warning Card contains the symptoms listed above. Some people may be more likely to have an allergic reaction to abacavir based on their heredity or genetic make-up. Your doctor may order a genetic lab test prior to starting abacavir or if you not been previously tested to determine if you are more likely to have an allergic reaction to this medication. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to abacavir or any other medications that contain abacavir or if you have a particular gene variation. If you have ever had a previous allergic reaction to abacavir or any other medication containing abacavir. your doctor will probably tell you not to take abacavir. If your doctor tells you to stop taking abacavir because you had an allergic reaction, never take abacavir or a medication containing abacavir again. If you stop taking abacavir for any other reason, including missing several doses in a row or running out of medication, do not start taking it again without first talking to your doctor. You will need to be around people who can provide or call for emergency medical care, if needed, when you restart this medication. Abacavir may cause serious liver damage and a condition called lactic acidosis (buildup of acid in the blood) that may be life-threatening. Tell your doctor if you drink large amounts of alcohol and if you have or have ever had liver disease, including hepatitis B or C. If you have liver disease. your doctor will probably tell you not to take abacavir. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: shortness of breath; fast breathing; changes in heartbeat; nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; pain, aching, swelling, or tenderness on your right side just below your ribs; muscle pain; dizziness or lightheadedness; yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark-colored urine; light-colored bowel movements; or extreme tiredness. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to abacavir. Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) and a Warning Card when you begin treatment with abacavir and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer's website to obtain the Medication Guide and Warning Card. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking abacavir.

Abacavir is used along with other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Abacavir is in a class of medications called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). It works by decreasing the amount of HIV in the blood. Although abacavir does not cure HIV, it may decrease your chance of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV-related illnesses such as serious infections or cancer. Taking these medications along with practicing safer sex and making other lifestyle changes may decrease the risk of transmitting (spreading) the HIV virus to other people.

Abacavir comes as a tablet and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice daily with or without food. Take abacavir at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take abacavir exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Tell your doctor if you or your child are unable to swallow the tablets. Abacavir helps to control HIV infection but does not cure it. Continue to take abacavir even if you feel well. Do not stop taking abacavir without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking abacavir or skip doses, your condition may become more difficult to treat or you could have an allergic reaction when restarting the medication (See Important Warning section). Do not run out of medication. When your supply of abacavir starts to run low, get more from your doctor or pharmacist.

Before taking abacavir, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications or any of the ingredients in abacavir tablets or solution. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention the following: methadone (Dolophine, Methadose); and other medications to treat HIV. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. in addition to the condition listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking abacavir, call your doctor. tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed while taking abacavir. talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while taking this medication. tell your doctor if you smoke. you should know that while you are taking medications to treat HIV infection, your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight other infections that were already in your body, such as pneumonia, herpes virus, tuberculosis, hepatitis, Graves' disease (condition where the body attacks the thyroid gland causing it to be overactive), polymyositis (condition that causes muscle weakness), Guillain-Barré syndrome (weakness, tingling, and possible paralysis due to sudden nerve damage), or a fungal infection. If you have a fever or new infection symptom after starting treatment with abacavir, be sure to tell your doctor. you should know that while you are taking abacavir your body fat may increase or move to different areas of your body, such as the back of your neck and upper shoulders ('buffalo hump'), stomach, and breasts. Your body may lose fat from your arms, legs, face, and buttocks. Talk to your doctor if you notice any of these changes in your body fat.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you miss several doses of abacavir, call your doctor before starting to take this medication again. (See Important Warning section).

Abacavir may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: headache depression anxiety dreams or sleep problems ear, nose, throat infections, especially in children Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING or SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS sections, call your doctor immediately: blisters or peeling skin hives itching difficulty swallowing or breathing chills Abacavir may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Store the oral solution at room temperature or in the refrigerator, but do not freeze it. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.