Monograph Details
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Infections & Infestations
> Viral infections
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EPZICOM |
| Manufacturer |
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GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals |
| Legal Classification |
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Rx
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| Pharmacological Class |
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Nucleoside analogues (reverse transcriptase inhibitors). |
| Generic Name |
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Abacavir (as sulfate) 600mg, lamivudine 300mg; tabs. |
| Indications |
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HIV-1 infection. |
| Children |
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≤18yrs: not recommended. |
| Adults |
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>18yrs: 1 tab daily. Hepatic or renal impairment (CrCl<50mL/min): not recommended. |
| Contraindications |
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See literature re: fatal hypersensitivity reactions, usually characterized by 2 or more of these: fever, rash, GI symptoms, malaise/fatigue, respiratory symptoms; discontinue as soon as suspected; do not restart. Hepatic impairment. |
| Precautions |
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Suspend if lactic acidosis or hepatotoxicity occurs. Women, obesity, prolonged nucleoside exposure, other risk factors for hepatic dysfunction: increased risk of toxicity. Not for treating chronic hepatitis B; monitor patients co-infected with HBV for at least several months after stopping treatment (discontinuing therapy may exacerbate HBV infection). If stopped for reasons other than hypersensitivity, restart only if medical care can be readily accessed; monitor for hypersensitivity. Elderly. Pregnancy (Cat. C). Nursing mothers: not recommended. |
| Interactions |
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Avoid concomitant other forms of abacavir, lamivudine, or zalcitabine. Do not combine with other nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors as part of a triple-drug regimen. Potentiated by ethanol, TMP/SMX. May antagonize methadone. Monitor for treatment-associated toxicities with interferon-alpha with or without ribavirin. See literature. |
| Adverse Reactions |
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Hypersensitivity reactions (may be fatal), GI upset, fever, headache, rash (may be severe, eg, Stevens-Johnson), anorexia, neuropathy, dizziness, sleep or depressive disorders, anxiety, respiratory effects, musculoskeletal pain, mild hyperglycemia, elevated triglycerides, neutropenia, fat redistribution, lactic acidosis, severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, abnormal liver function tests. |
| Extra Text |
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Note: Register pregnant patients exposed to Epzicom by calling (800) 258-4263. Register patients who have had a hypersensitivity reaction to Epzicom by calling (800) 270-0425. |
| How Supplied |
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Tabs—30 |
| Additional Resources |
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• Related Prescribing Note |
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