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Brand Name :
Epzicom
Synonyms :
abacavir and lamivudine
Class :
HIV, ART Combos
Brand Name :
Epzicom
Synonyms :
abacavir and lamivudine
Class :
HIV, ART Combos
Dosage forms & Strengths:Â
TabletÂ
600 mg/300 mg (abacavir/lamivudine)Â
1
Tablet (600 mg/300 mg lamivudine)
Orally 
every day
Dosage forms & Strengths:
Tablet
600 mg/300 mg
Determine whether the child can take the pill whole
weight <25 kg: not safe
weight >25 kg: 1 tablet orally every day
Determine whether the child can take the pill whole
weight <25 kg: not safe
weight >25 kg: 1 tablet orally every day
Refer to the adult dosingÂ
may enhance the serum concentration of CYP3A4 inhibitors
may enhance the serum concentration of CYP3A4 inhibitors
may enhance the serum concentration of CYP3A4 inhibitors
may enhance the serum concentration of CYP3A4 inhibitors
may enhance the serum concentration of CYP3A4 inhibitors
may decrease the therapeutic effects of antiherpetic antivirals
may decrease the therapeutic effects of antiherpetic antivirals
may diminish the effect of each other when combined
may diminish the effect of each other when combined
may diminish the effect of each other when combined
may diminish the effect of each other when combined
sodium picosulfate, citric acid, and magnesium oxide
may diminish the effect of each other when combined
may enhance the serum concentration of P-glycoprotein/ABCB 1 inhibitors
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect
antiviral agents (HCV): they may increase the hypoglycemic effect of antidiabetic drugs
may increase the hypoglycemic effect of Antidiabetic Agents
may increase the Glucose-lowering effect of Antidiabetic Agents
Actions and Spectrum:Â
abacavir works by blocking the reverse transcriptase enzyme which is critical for virus replication.Â
lamivudine is also an NRTI that functions similarly to abacavir by inhibiting reverse transcriptase.Â
Both drugs are often used in combination with other antiretrovirals that are highly active to suppress the replication of the virus and prevent disease progression.Â
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Frequency definedÂ
1-10%Â
AnxietyÂ
Abnormal dreamsÂ
InsomniaÂ
VertigoÂ
HeadacheÂ
Skin RashÂ
FeverÂ
<1%Â
AnemiaÂ
AlopeciaÂ
StomatitisÂ
WheezingÂ
WeaknessÂ
HyperglycemiaÂ
Erythema multiformeÂ
Black Box Warning:
NoneÂ
Contraindication/Caution:Â
Abacavir is contraindicated in individuals with a known hypersensitivity reaction to the drug.
Cautions:Â
This combination drug can cause mitochondrial toxicity that leading to liver and pancreas problems.Â
abacavir canc ause a hypersensitivity reaction which can be severe and potentially life-threatening.Â
lamivudine leads to lactic acidosis and liver problems in individuals with liver disease.Â
abacavir and lamivudine should be used with caution in individuals with kidney problems.Â
It may be unable to eliminate the drugs as effectively.Â
Pregnancy/LactationÂ
Pregnancy consideration:Â
The drug is not safe during pregnancy.Â
Breastfeeding warnings:Â
The drug is secreted in breast milk.Â
The effect on lactating infants is unknown.Â
Pregnancy category:Â
Category A: well-controlled and Satisfactory studies do not show risk to the fetus in the first/later trimester.Â
Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women.Â
Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.Â
Category D: adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.Â
Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.Â
Category N: No data is available for the drug under this category.Â
Pharmacology:Â
Fixed dose combinations have become more prevalent over time, initiating treatment-naive patients with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) along with either a protease inhibitor or a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI).Â
An example of such an NRTI combination is abacavir (ABC) and lamivudine (3TC) which is conveniently offered as a fixed dose combination.Â
Pharmacodynamics:Â
ABC/3TC is suitable for ARV naive individuals and its efficacy has been proven across studies and is compatible with various medication classes.Â
Resistance mutations have not been affected the clinical effectiveness when paired with other medications.Â
Pharmacokinetics:Â
Absorption:Â
The absorption of abacavir and lamivudine is rapid with the geometric mean maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 5.22 ÎĽg/mL and a time to maximum concentration (tmax) of 1.01 hours, respectively.Â
Distribution:Â
Both drugs exhibit moderate distribution in tissues throughout the body.Â
Metabolism:
Abacavir primarily metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase while glucuronyl transferase and lamivudine undergoing phosphorylation to its active form within cells.Â
Elimination and Excretion:Â
Both drugs are eliminated primarily via renal excretion and eliminated as unchanged drug in the urine with a small proportion undergoing hepatic metabolism.Â
The exact metabolism of these drugs is not explicitly provided.Â
Administration:Â
The typical adult dose for HIV infection is one tablet orally taken daily often in combination with other antiretroviral agents.Â
For occupational exposure it is recommended to take one tablet daily.Â
The treatment duration is 28 days if tolerated and it should be used under expert guidance and initiated within hours of exposure.Â
The optimal duration of prophylaxis is uncertain and may vary depending on institutional protocol.Â
Patient information leafletÂ
Generic Name: abacavir/lamivudineÂ
Pronounced: a-BAK-a-vir/la-MIV-ue-deenÂ
Why do we use abacavir/lamivudine?Â
Abacavir and lamivudine are antiviral medications used to inhibit HIV replication where a virus is responsible for AIDS and are combined with other medications for HIV treatment.Â
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