Abacavir and lamivudine are antiviral medicines that prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body.

Abacavir and lamivudine is a combination medicine used to treat HIV, the virus that can cause the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medication is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Abacavir and lamivudine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to abacavir or lamivudine, or:

• if you have liver disease;
• if you have ever tested positive for a gene variation called HLA-B*5701; or
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine that contains abacavir or lamivudine (Combivir, Epivir, Triumeq, Trizivir, Ziagen).

You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, if you are overweight, or if you are a woman. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease (especially hepatitis B or C);
• kidney disease;
• heart problems or risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol; or
• if you drink alcohol.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, and use your medications properly to control your infection. HIV can be passed to your baby if the virus is not controlled during pregnancy. Your name may be listed on a registry to track any effects of antiviral medicine on the baby.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

Abacavir and lamivudine should not be given to a child who weighs less than 55 pounds.

Use Abacavir And Lamivudine (Oral) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction from two or more of these specific side effect groups:

• Group 1 - fever;
• Group 2 - rash;
• Group 3 - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
• Group 4 - general ill feeling, extreme tiredness, body aches;
• Group 5 - shortness of breath, cough, sore throat.

Once you have an allergic reaction to abacavir, you must never use it again. If you stop taking this medicine for any reason, talk to your doctor before you start taking it again.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• other signs of allergic reaction--hives, swelling in your face or throat, trouble breathing;
• lactic acidosis--unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, fast/slow or irregular heartbeats, dizziness, feeling cold, feeling very weak or tired; or
• liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Abacavir and lamivudine affects your immune system, which may cause certain side effects (even weeks or months after you've taken this medicine). Tell your doctor if you have:

• signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss;
• trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye movement, weakness or prickly feeling; or
• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence.

Common side effects include:

• allergic reaction;
• depression, trouble sleeping;
• feeling weak or tired;
• headache, dizziness, migraine;
• nausea, diarrhea; or
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Taking this medicine will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.