What is Abacavir Sulphate?

Abacavir Sulphate is an antiviral drug that prevents the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV from multiplying in your body. This medication is prescribed for the treatment of HIV which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS. Abacavir Sulphate is sold under various trade names, a couple of which are Ziagen and Abamune (made by Cipla).This medicine may also be prescribed for treatments not mentioned here.

Important Information about Abacavir Sulphate

Abacavir Sulphate (Ziagen, Abamune) will not cure your body of HIV. You can still spread the virus to other people through infected blood (via needles, razors, toothbrush) or through unsafe sexual practices (ensure proper barrier contraception). You must take care about these things and employ proper measure so as not to spread the virus. You must not take Abacavir with any other medicine that also contains Abacavir Sulphate.
Lactic acidosis has been observed in some people (especially overweight females and those with liver disease) who took Abacavir Sulphate. Initial symptoms of lactic acidosis may deteriorate over time and can prove fatal. Hence you must get medical attention right away on first signs of lactic acidosis such as muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in the limbs, breathing trouble, stomach pain, or nausea with vomiting.
Abacavir Sulphate can also cause severe or life threatening damage to your liver. Seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage: Severe pain in upper stomach which advances to the back, nausea and vomiting, fast heartbeats, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay colored stools, or jaundice.
Abacavir Sulphate is an FDA pregnancy category C drug. It is not known if it can harm an unborn baby if taken during pregnancy. However, HIV can be passed to the baby if the mother is not treated properly during pregnancy. Remember to take all medications for HIV as prescribed to prevent your baby from contracting the HIV virus.
Do not miss any dose of Abacavir Sulphate. If you miss several doses in a row, you may have a dangerous or fatal allergic reaction once you start taking it again. Do not stop taking this medicine without the advice of your doctor.

Before taking Abacavir Sulphate

Before taking Abacavir Sulphate, take care of all precautions mentioned above. Discuss them with your doctor and clear all doubts which you may have about this drug. Also, to ensure that this medicine is safe for you, you must inform your doctor in advance if you have these conditions: heart disease, liver disease, high blood pressure, or a risk factor for heart disease (smoking, diabetes, or high cholesterol), or if you have used another HIV medicine in the past.

How should I take Abacavir Sulphate?

Take Abacavir Sulphate HIV medication (Ziagen, Abamune) strictly according to your doctor’s direction or according to the instructions on the medication label. Do not alter the dosage unless your doctor advises you to do so. Also, do not take this medication after the prescribed period is over. All medications come with a patient leaflet. Refer the instructions in them for detailed information on that particular medication.
Take Abacavir Sulphate with or without food, or as directed by your doctor. HIV is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Always take the prescribed drugs as directed by your doctor. Abacavir Sulphate comes with a warning card that lists the symptoms of allergic reactions. Read this card and carry if always with you. Store this medication in a cool and dry place.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Abacavir Sulphate, take it as soon as you remember. Don’t take the missed dose if the time to take the next dose is almost up. Taking multiple doses near to each other can lead to excess medication in your body which can be harmful.

What if I overdose?

In case of an overdose of Abacavir Sulphate, get emergency medical attention or call the Doctor immediately.

Things and Activities to avoid while taking Abacavir Sulphate

Abacavir Sulphate will not help your body get rid of HIV. It will stop the growth and multiplication of the virus. Chances of spreading the HIV will still remain the same through unprotected sex, infected razors, needles or toothbrush. Hence, avoid these activities and things.

Abacavir Sulphate Side Effects

Some common side effects of Abacavir Sulphate are trouble sleeping, or loss of appetite. Contact your doctor if these effects persist or deteriorate further. Changes in body fat deposition may occur while taking HIV medication such as increased fat in deposition in the upper back and stomach areas whereas less fat in arms and legs.
Lactic acidosis has been observed in some people (especially overweight females and those with liver disease) who took Abacavir Sulphate. Initial symptoms of lactic acidosis may deteriorate over time and can prove fatal. Hence you must get medical attention right away on first signs of lactic acidosis such as muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in the limbs, breathing trouble, stomach pain, or nausea with vomiting.
Abacavir Sulphate can also cause severe or life threatening damage to your liver. Seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage: Severe pain in upper stomach which advances to the back, nausea and vomiting, fast heartbeats, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay colored stools, or jaundice.
Some people may experience deterioration of a previous medical condition as their immune system recovers, or develop new conditions due to overactive immune system. Let your doctor known right away if you develop any new condition or any of you existing conditions worsen. Abacavir Sulphate may also increase the risk of bone loss.
The side effects mentioned above are not the only ones that you may experience or witness due to Abacavir Sulphate. If you get any serious side effects due to this medication, contact your doctor right away.

Abacavir Sulphate Dosing Information

Abacavir Sulphate dosage may depend on a range of factors like age, sex, drug allergies, or seriousness of the condition among several other factors. Your dosage will be determined by your doctor after examining you properly. Remember to follow your doctor’s advice properly for best results.

Interaction with other drugs

Some drugs can interact with Abacavir Sulphate, especially methadone. There may be other medicines as well that can interact with this medicine. Inform your doctor about all other medicines which you may be using. Never start a new medication without consulting your doctor first.

Expert advice

• Abacavir may cause serious or life-threatening allergic reaction. Stop taking abacavir immediately, if you develop such reaction.
• Tell your doctor if you have or had kidney/ liver disease (including hepatitis), if you smoke/drink large amounts of alcohol, have high blood pressure or diabetes, as abacavir may increase your risk of having a heart attack.
• You should not take abacavir tablets with other products containing abacavir.
• Do not stop taking abacavir even for a short period of time; doing so may worsen your condition.
• Do not drive or operate machinery while using abacavir unless you are feeling well.
• Abacavir does not prevent the spread of HIV virus to others through blood or sexual contact. Take the required precautions to prevent transmission.
• Tell your doctor if you are or planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Frequently asked questions

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