Kivexa
(Abacavir/ Lamivudine)

Please read this factsheet carefully together with the patient information leaflet before taking your medicine. If you have any questions or are unsure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

KIVEXA is a preparation that contains both abacavir and lamivudine in one tablet. Abacavir and lamivudine both belong to a class of drugs called nucleoside analogues or nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). NRTIs are used for the treatment of HIV infection, in combination with other anti-HIV drugs. Please speak to your clinic doctor or pharmacist if you would like more information about how these drugs work.

Before taking Kivexa
Tell your doctor about:

• All other drugs that you are taking, including any that you buy over the counter in a community pharmacy and herbal medicines;
• Any previous allergy to any other medicines;
• If you have ever had any liver disease;
• If you have ever had any kidney disease;

Taking your Kivexa

• Kivexa is available as an orange tablet (debossed with GSFC2 on one side), containing 600mg of abacavir and 300mg of lamivudine.
• The usual dose is one tablet once a day.
• There is no effect of food upon absorption; therefore you can take the tablets before, with or after food. Taking doses after food may help prevent nausea.
• If you need to take a lower dose of abacavir or lamivudine, for example, if you have reduced kidney function, Kivexa is not suitable for you. Your doctor will prescribe abacavir and lamivudine separately.
• Try to take Kivexa as close to twenty-four hours apart as possible, at the same time each day.
• Kivexa works best if there is a constant amount in your bloodstream. It is therefore very important to take the tablets regularly. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember but if you forget completely don’t take a double dose the next time.

Do not run out of Kivexa. If you are going on holiday and need additional supplies tell your doctor. Your pharmacist will check that you have enough to last until your next appointment

Some of these side effects are transient, if you experience any of these side effects or any other symptoms after you start Kivexa, tell your doctor who will advise you what to do. Do NOT stop taking your Kivexa without consulting your doctor first. It is important that you tell your doctor so that he or she can discuss other treatment options with you.

In the experience to date with abacavir approximately 5% of patients have developed an allergic reaction. This usually happens within the first six weeks of treatment, although these reactions may occur at any time during therapy. YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY for advice if:

1. You get a skin rash OR
2. You get one or more symptoms from at least two of the following groups:

• fever
• shortness of breath, sore throat or cough;
• nausea or vomiting or diarrhoea or abdominal pain;
• severe tiredness or achiness or general ill feeling;

Remember to carry the alert card (from the medication package) around with you at all times. You should NOT stop taking Kivexa without first speaking to your doctor. If you do stop due to this reaction you must never take abacavir (or Kivexa and Trizivir) again. There have been reports of more serious reactions in people who have stopped abacavir and then restarted after symptoms have disappeared.

Lactic acidosis has been reported with the use of nucleoside analogues. Your doctor will be monitoring your lactate levels, but if you experience the following symptoms, inform your doctor: nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, rapid, deep breathing or muscle weakness.

Admission to hospital
If you are admitted to hospital please bring all your medicines with you. This is especially important for anti-HIV medication as it has to be taken regularly. Thomas Macaulay Ward now operates a self medication programme. Some patients are able to self administer their medicines to enable them to stick to the routine they have been used to at home.

Storing your Kivexa
Kivexa tablets should be stored at room temperature.