Abacavir: Uses, indications and precautions when using

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Abacavir is a drug commonly used in combination to treat HIV-infected patients. However, this is not a single HIV drug and also prevents HIV infection through inhibiting the amount of virus growing in the body.

1. Uses of Abacavir

Abacavir is used together with other HIV medicines to help control HIV infection. Medicines work to reduce the amount of HIV in the body so that the immune system can work better. This will reduce the risk of HIV complications such as new infections, cancer and improve the patient's quality of life. Abacavir belongs to the class of nNRTI nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
Abacavir is not a cure for HIV infection. Therefore, to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others, follow all instructions such as: Continue taking all HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor, always use effective prevention during all sexual activity and not sharing personal items such as needles, syringes, toothbrushes and razors, which may have come into contact with blood or body fluids other body.

2. Indications for taking Abacavir

Read the medication instructions carefully and learn about the side effects before starting abacavir and each time you use it.
Abacavir is taken by mouth, usually 1-2 times per day. If using the liquid form of medicine, measure the dose carefully with a special measuring device. Do not use a household spoon to measure because the dose may be wrong. The dosage of the drug is based on the patient's medical condition and response to treatment. In children, dosage is based on weight.
If you stop taking abacavir even for a short time and then start it again, the patient is at increased risk for a very serious and possibly fatal allergic reaction. Therefore, the patient must maintain treatment unless directed by the doctor. Before starting abacavir again, consult your doctor or pharmacist and make sure the patient has easy access to medical care.
It is very important to continue taking Abacavir and other HIV medicines exactly as prescribed by your doctor and not to skip or increase your dose even for a short time unless directed by your doctor. Skipping or changing the dosage can cause the viral load to increase and make the infection harder to treat or worsen side effects.
For best effect, patients should take this medicine at the same time between days.

3. Side effects of drugs

Difficulty sleeping or loss of appetite may occur with the use of Abacavir. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Once a doctor has prescribed a medication, the benefit to the patient has been assessed to outweigh the risk of side effects and, in fact, many patients use this medication without serious side effects.
When the immune system becomes stronger and it can begin to fight the infections it has acquired. As a result, it is possible for disease symptoms to return, and sometimes patients will develop symptoms if the immune system becomes overactive. These reactions can occur any time, soon after HIV treatment is started, or many months later. Contact your healthcare provider for help right away if a patient has any serious symptoms, including: unexplained weight loss, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness that doesn't go away , severe or non-existent headache, joint pain, numbness, tingling in the hands or feet, vision changes, signs of infection (such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, trouble breathing, cough, sores) non-healing skin ulcers), signs of an overactive thyroid, such as irritability, anxiety, heat intolerance, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, bulging eyes, abnormal growths in the neck / thyroid gland, showing signs of a certain neurological problem known as Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Although very rare, this medicine can cause serious liver problems and build up of lactic acid in the blood. These serious side effects tend to occur more frequently in women and in obese patients. Contact hospital immediately if patient has any serious symptoms, including: symptoms of liver problems (such as nausea/vomiting that won't stop, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing) eyes/skin, dark urine), symptoms of lactic acidosis (such as deep/rapid breathing, drowsiness, nausea/vomiting).

4. Notes when taking Abacavir

If the patient is allergic to abacavir or its ingredients, inform the doctor/pharmacist before taking the medicine. Patients must provide information about their medical history, especially history of liver problems (such as hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis), kidney problems, alcohol use, to the doctor/pharmacist. doctor before you start taking
Abacavir may increase your risk of having a heart attack . Therefore, patients need to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with their doctor and ways to reduce their risk of heart disease. Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, you smoke, or if you have other medical conditions that increase your risk of heart disease such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol levels. If the patient is pregnant, the doctor must be informed before using the drug. Treatment can reduce the risk of HIV transmission to the unborn baby.
Note that Abacavir should not be combined with other drugs without a doctor's prescription. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take it as usual, but do not take 2 doses at the same time.
With the above information about abacavir, patients should be careful when using it and to get the best effect, they should consult their treating doctor, do not buy and use it themselves.
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Reference source: webmd.com