abacavir + lamivudine at a glance
Medicine class
Two NRTIs: abacavir and lamivudine
Usual role
Part of combination antiretroviral treatment for HIV
Food
May be taken with or without food
Essential safety check
HLA-B*5701 status must be documented before starting abacavir
What is abacavir + lamivudine used for?
This product is licensed as part of combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection.
Treatment of HIV infection in adults and adolescents.
Treatment of HIV infection in children weighing at least 25 kg.
It is not a complete HIV treatment by itself and does not cure HIV.
How does abacavir + lamivudine work?
Inside cells, both ingredients become active forms that compete with the building blocks used by HIV reverse transcriptase. Their incorporation into viral DNA stops the chain extending and interrupts HIV replication.
abacavir + lamivudine preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 600 mg + 300 mg
How to take abacavir + lamivudine
Follow the specialist HIV team's instructions. Do not stop or restart this product without clinical advice, particularly after illness or possible side effects.
Swallow the film-coated tablet whole with water.
It may be taken with or without food.
Keep the abacavir Alert Card supplied with the pack.
Ask the HIV team or pharmacist before crushing or altering the tablet.
abacavir + lamivudine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort
- Tiredness, fever or feeling unwell
- Reduced appetite
- Difficulty sleeping
- Muscle or joint discomfort
- Cough or nasal symptoms
- Rash or hair loss
Get urgent medical advice
- Abacavir hypersensitivity, particularly rash or fever with gastrointestinal, respiratory or severe general symptoms
- Blistering, peeling or target-like skin rash
- Severe abdominal pain that may indicate pancreatitis
- Jaundice or other symptoms of liver injury
- Severe muscle pain or weakness with dark urine
- Deep or rapid breathing, marked weakness, nausea or abdominal pain that may indicate lactic acidosis
- New inflammatory symptoms after starting effective HIV treatment
abacavir + lamivudine in pregnancy
Discuss pregnancy or plans for pregnancy promptly with the specialist HIV and maternity teams. Do not stop antiretroviral treatment without their advice. Available data for the individual ingredients have not indicated a malformation or fetal–neonatal effect, although specialist review is still needed.
abacavir + lamivudine while breastfeeding
Abacavir and lamivudine can pass into breast milk. In the UK, formula feeding is considered the safest way to avoid postnatal HIV transmission. Someone with sustained viral suppression who chooses to breastfeed needs specialist support and close maternal and infant monitoring.
abacavir + lamivudine interactions
Check prescribed, over-the-counter and complementary products with the HIV team or pharmacist. Important examples include:
Lamivudine- or emtricitabine-containing products
Avoid duplication because these closely related antivirals should not be taken alongside this fixed combination.
Cladribine
Lamivudine may reduce cladribine activation and effectiveness, so concurrent use is not recommended.
Co-trimoxazole
Trimethoprim increases lamivudine exposure; clinical monitoring may be needed.
Common questions about abacavir + lamivudine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is an HLA-B*5701 test needed?
People carrying HLA-B*5701 have a high risk of serious abacavir hypersensitivity and must not start an abacavir-containing product.
Can hypersensitivity occur after a negative genetic test?
Yes. A negative result greatly reduces but does not eliminate the risk, so compatible symptoms still require urgent assessment.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.