Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine
About Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine
Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine is a prescription oral tablet used to treat HIV-1 infection. It is a combination medicine that helps lower the amount of the virus in your body and supports your immune system. This medicine is prescribed to help manage the infection and reduce the risk of complications associated with HIV.
To get the best results, you must take Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine consistently every day, at the same time each day. You can take this tablet with or without food. Along with taking your medicine, adopting certain lifestyle habits, such as eating a nutrient-rich diet, avoiding raw or undercooked foods, and exercising regularly, can help keep your immune system strong.
Like all medicines, Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. Common side effects include trouble sleeping, headaches, and tiredness. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of a severe allergic reaction, liver damage, or a buildup of lactic acid in your blood.
Do not take this if you have tested positive for a specific gene called HLA-B5701, as you are at a very high risk of a severe allergic reaction. You should also not take this medicine if you have moderate-to-severe liver damage. Before starting, talk to your doctor about your complete medical history, especially if you have kidney problems or a history of Hepatitis B.
Certain substances can change how this medicine works or increase side effects. For example, drinking alcohol can increase your risk of liver damage. Always discuss your use of other medicines, supplements, or if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, with your healthcare provider before starting treatment.
Uses of Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine
Medicinal Benefits
Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine offers several clinical benefits that support your long-term health management:
Benefits may include
- By combining three active medicines into a single daily tablet, it reduces the number of pills you need to take each day, making it easier to stay on track with your therapy.
- It helps stop the virus from multiplying, which can lower the viral load to levels that protect your immune system from damage.
- By keeping the virus under control, it allows your immune system to recover and maintain its strength, reducing your susceptibility to other infections.
Directions for Use
- Take Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine with or without food or as advised by a doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication, to ensure the safety.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Headache
- Tiredness or lack of energy
- Nausea, diarrhoea, or mild stomach discomfort
- Muscle aches
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe allergic reactions such as fever, skin rash, extreme tiredness, trouble breathing, cough, sore throat, or joint swelling.
- Liver damage, symptoms include yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, loss of appetite, or pain on the right side of your stomach.
- Lactic acidosis (acid buildup in the blood), symptoms include deep or rapid breathing, unusual drowsiness, severe muscle pain, cold hands and feet, or sudden weakness.
- Worsening of Hepatitis B, a severe flare-up of Hepatitis B infection can occur if you have the infection and suddenly stop taking Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine.
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Get tested first: Ensure your doctor performs a blood test for the HLA-B5701 gene before you take your first dose to prevent a severe allergic reaction.
- Never skip doses: Skipping doses can cause the virus to become resistant to this and other HIV medicines, making your treatment less effective.
- Do not stop suddenly: If you also have Hepatitis B, stopping Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine suddenly can cause a severe liver flare-up. Always discuss changes with your doctor first.
- Keep laboratory appointments: Attend all scheduled medical appointments so your doctor can monitor your liver health, kidney function, and viral load.
Drug Interactions
- Antiarrhythmic medication (e.g., dofetilide): May significantly increase the levels of dofetilide in your body, leading to life-threatening heart rhythm problems.
- Antacids and Mineral Supplements: Antacids, laxatives, or supplements containing calcium, iron, magnesium, or aluminium can prevent Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine from being fully absorbed. Take Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking these supplements.
- Tuberculosis medication (e.g., rifampin): May lower the concentration of Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine in your blood, making your HIV treatment less effective.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known whether alcohol interacts with Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult the doctor if you are pregnant. Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine should be used during pregnancy only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeBreastfeeding is not recommended while on treatment with Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine due to the potential for HIV transmission.
Driving
cautionAbacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine may cause fatigue. Fatigue affects your ability to drive safely. So, drive or operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionAbacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine is not recommended for patients with moderate or severe liver impairment. Please consult the doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult the doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns.
Children
cautionPlease consult the doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
To support your treatment with Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine and keep your immune system strong, consider the following practical tips:
- Practice food safety: Since HIV can weaken your immune system, avoid eating raw or undercooked meats, eggs, and seafood to prevent foodborne bacterial infections.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you experience mild diarrhoea or nausea.
- Limit alcohol intake: Avoid or strictly limit alcohol, as both alcohol and this medication are processed by your liver, and combining them can increase the risk of liver damage.
- Maintain regular physical activity: Engage in regular, moderate exercise like walking or cycling to help maintain bone density and cardiovascular health, which are important areas of focus during long-term HIV management.
Special Advise
If you get a symptom from 2 or more of the following groups while taking Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine, call your healthcare provider right away to find out if you should stop taking Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine.
Group1: Fever
Group 2: Rash
Group 3: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal/stomach pain
Group 4: General ill feeling, extreme tiredness or achiness
Group 5: Shortness of breath, sore throat, cough
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
HIV infection: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system and destroys the white blood cells that help fight infection, making the individual susceptible to other infections or illnesses. People with HIV experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, tiredness, and sore throat. These symptoms usually last for days to several weeks. HIV spreads through body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, and blood. If left untreated, this condition can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). It is a life-long condition, and there is no definite cure for it. However, it can be controlled by treating it with antiretroviral drugs.
FAQs
Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine is used to treat HIV infection.
Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine works by decreasing the amount of HIV in the blood and increasing the number of immune cells that help fight infections in the body.
Do not stop taking Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine without consulting your doctor, as it may reduce the effectiveness of anti-HIV therapy. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine for as long as your doctor prescribes it. Do not hesitate to speak with your doctor if you experience difficulty taking Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine.
Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine does not cure HIV infection or AIDS. You must stay on continuous therapy to control HIV infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses.
Antacids or laxatives should be taken 2 hours before and 6 hours after taking Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine. However, consult the doctor if you have any concerns.
You should consult your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as they will weigh the benefits and risks to determine if this is the right treatment for you. Talk to your doctor.
A skin rash can be a sign of a serious allergic reaction. Stop taking the medicine immediately and seek emergency medical care. Talk to your doctor.
Drinking alcohol can increase the stress on your liver and raise the risk of liver damage, so it is best to limit or avoid alcohol. Talk to your doctor.
If your multivitamin contains iron or calcium, it can interfere with how Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine is absorbed. Take Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after your multivitamin. Talk to your doctor.
The blood test checks for the HLA-B*5701 gene to make sure you do not have a high genetic risk of experiencing a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction to this medicine. Talk to your doctor.
Taking Abacavir+dolutegravir+lamivudine consistently to lower your viral load to undetectable levels virtually eliminates the risk of transmitting the virus sexually, though standard precautions are still recommended. Talk to your doctor.
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