abacavir sulfate + lamivudine at a glance
Medicine class
Two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
Main role
Part of combination antiretroviral treatment for HIV.
Essential test
HLA-B*5701 status must be checked and documented before starting abacavir.
Food
The tablet may be taken with or without food.
Important safety point
After suspected abacavir hypersensitivity, stop abacavir and never restart it.
What is abacavir sulfate + lamivudine used for?
Licensed as part of combination antiretroviral therapy.
HIV infection in adults and adolescents.
HIV infection in children weighing at least 25 kg.
How does abacavir sulfate + lamivudine work?
Both components are activated inside cells and interfere with HIV reverse transcriptase. This interrupts viral DNA formation and reduces HIV replication.
abacavir sulfate + lamivudine preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 600 mg + 300 mg
How to take abacavir sulfate + lamivudine
Take exactly as prescribed by the HIV specialist. Swallow the film-coated tablet whole with water, with or without food. Do not stop or restart it without medical advice, particularly after illness or possible side effects.
Keep the abacavir alert card with you.
Check with the HIV team before changing other medicines or supplements.
abacavir sulfate + lamivudine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness or feeling unwell
- Fever
- Rash
- Cough or nasal symptoms
- Muscle or joint symptoms
- Difficulty sleeping
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever or rash with gastrointestinal, breathing or general symptoms suggesting abacavir hypersensitivity
- Blistering, peeling or widespread severe rash
- Facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or collapse
- Severe persistent abdominal pain, which may indicate pancreatitis
- Marked weakness, rapid breathing or severe vomiting, which may indicate lactic acidosis
- Jaundice or dark urine, which may indicate hepatitis
abacavir sulfate + lamivudine in pregnancy
Antiretroviral treatment should continue during pregnancy under specialist HIV and maternity care. Available abacavir pregnancy outcomes have not indicated increased malformation risk. Have the complete regimen reviewed when pregnancy is planned or confirmed, and do not stop treatment without specialist advice.
abacavir sulfate + lamivudine while breastfeeding
Abacavir enters human milk, and HIV can be transmitted through breastfeeding even during effective treatment. In the UK, formula feeding is the safest option for avoiding postnatal HIV transmission. Anyone with sustained viral suppression who wishes to breastfeed should discuss this early with the specialist team because close monitoring of parent and baby is required.
abacavir sulfate + lamivudine interactions
Give the HIV team a complete list of prescribed, non-prescribed and complementary products.
Lamivudine- or emtricitabine-containing products
Using duplicate or closely related cytidine analogues is not recommended.
Cladribine
Lamivudine may reduce its activation and effectiveness; concurrent use is not recommended.
Co-trimoxazole
Trimethoprim increases lamivudine exposure; clinical monitoring may be required.
Phenytoin
Common questions about abacavir sulfate + lamivudine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is an HLA-B*5701 test needed?
This allele strongly increases the risk of abacavir hypersensitivity. A positive result means abacavir must not be started.
Can hypersensitivity occur after a negative test?
Yes. The risk is lower but not eliminated, so compatible symptoms still require urgent assessment and immediate discontinuation.
Can abacavir be restarted after a suspected reaction?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.