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| Pronunciation |
|
 (a
BAK a
veer) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Ziagen® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antiretroviral Agent, Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (Nucleoside); Reverse
Transcriptase Inhibitor |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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- Dangerous allergic reactions have occurred. Some people have even
died from them. Tell healthcare provider about any rash, feeling tired, feeling
sick to your stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, or belly pain. Do not restart this
medicine if you had an allergic reaction. Swollen livers and an acid condition
in the blood have occurred with the use of these medicines. Some people have
even died from them. This medicine is used in combination with other medicines
to treat HIV infections.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
- If you have an allergy to abacavir, carbovir, or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used to treat HIV infection. It is usually taken with
2 other medicines.
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| How does it work? |
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- Abacavir stops the HIV virus from increasing. It blocks reproduction
of the virus.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
- For the best results, this medicine must be taken exactly as directed.
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those
who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before
and after medicine is given.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose without talking with healthcare
provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- If this medicine is stopped because you have had an allergy to it then
do not restart it again. It can cause a much more dangerous effect if restarted.
- If this medicine is stopped for any other reason do not start without
talking to healthcare provider. It could be very dangerous to restart on your
own.
- Use caution if you have liver disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Carry a warning card with you (given to you with the medicine).
- Do not run out of this medication. Get it refilled today!
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). May increase side
effects.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Protect against sexual spread of disease. Use an effective method of
birth control. Talk with healthcare provider if you have questions.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Breast-feeding is not recommended in HIV
disease.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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|
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help. Seen often in children.
- Not hungry or no appetite. Seen often in children.
- Feeling tired. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that
require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Headache.
- Anemia and low white blood cell count (can get infections easier).
- Allergic reaction (fever, rash, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea,
belly pain). Do not take anymore and talk with healthcare provider
now!
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Feeling tired, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, belly pain.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight container at room temperature.
- Can store liquid (solution) in a refrigerator. Do not
freeze.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).
- Read medication guide given to you with
medicine.
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