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Abacavir-Dolutegravir-Lamivud

This form:

Pronounced

"a-BAK-a-vir/DOE-loo-TEG-ra-vir/la-MIV-ue-deen"

Common brand names:

Triumeq

Uses

This product contains 3 drugs: abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine. It is used to help control HIV infection. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body so your immune system can work better. This lowers your chance of getting HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improves your quality of life. Abacavir and lamivudine belong to a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Dolutegravir belongs to a class of drugs known as integrase inhibitors.

This medication is not a cure for HIV infection. To decrease your risk of spreading HIV disease to others, continue to take all HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Use an effective barrier method (latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams) during sexual activity as directed by your doctor. Do not share personal items (such as needles/syringes, toothbrushes, and razors) that may have contacted blood or other body fluids. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Medication Guide and Warning Card provided by your pharmacist before you start taking this medication and each time you get a refill. Carry the Warning Card with you at all times. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not change dosage forms of this medication without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Do not chew, cut, or crush the tablets. If you are taking certain other medications, your doctor may direct you to take additional dolutegravir. Carefully follow your doctor's directions.

Take this medication at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking sucralfate and products containing aluminum or magnesium (such as antacids, laxatives, buffered medications). These products bind with dolutegravir, decreasing its effectiveness.

If you are also taking calcium or iron supplements (including vitamins/minerals that contain calcium or iron), take this medication at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after these products. Or if you take this medication with food, you can take the supplements at the same time.

If you stop taking any medication containing abacavir even for a short time and then restart the drug, you have an increased chance of developing a very serious (possibly fatal) allergic reaction. Refill your medication before you run out. Do not stop treatment unless directed by your doctor. Before restarting any medication containing abacavir, consult your doctor or pharmacist, and be sure you have easy access to medical care.

It is very important to keep taking this medication (and other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses.

For the best effect, take this medication at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time every day.

Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Doing so may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.