Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Also, do not start or stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

This medicine can be taken with or without food.

When your supply of this medicine runs low, get more from your pharmacy or from your doctor. The amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped, even for a short time. The virus may develop resistance to this medicine and be harder to treat.

To use the tablet for suspension:

  • Do not use or take the tablet if it is damaged, broken, or expired.
  • Place the tablets in the drinking cup. Then, add 2 teaspoons (10 mL) of drinking water for each tablet. Add 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of drinking water if you will use half of the tablet.
  • Stir with a spoon or swirl the drinking cup for 2 to 3 minutes until the tablets break up into pieces small enough for a child to swallow.
  • Do not chew the tablets or pieces of the tablets. Use the teaspoon to crush the pieces, if needed.
  • Drink the mixture within 1 hour. If you do not drink the mixture right away after preparing, stir with a spoon or swirl the drinking cup again for 2 to 3 minutes before taking.
  • Using an oral syringe: Place the tip of the syringe into the cup and draw all of the medicine up by pulling up on the plunger. Place the tip of the syringe against the inside of the child's cheek. Gently push down the plunger to give the dose slowly.
  • Rinse the drinking cup with an additional small amount of water. Use about 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of drinking water for each tablet and drink or give all the mixture.

This medicine is given together with other medicines for HIV infection. Take all of the medicines your doctor gives you at the right time of day. These medicines work best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. If you need help in planning the best times to take your medicines, check with your doctor.

Abacavir and lamivudine combination contains a fixed amount of each medicine in the tablet.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For HIV infection:
    • For oral dosage form (tablets):
      • Adults—One tablet once a day. Each tablet contains 600 milligrams (mg) of abacavir and 300 mg of lamivudine.
      • Children weighing at least 25 kilograms (kg)—One tablet once a day.
      • Children weighing less than 25 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (tablets for suspension):
      • Children 3 months of age and older and weighing at least 5 kilograms (kg)—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
        • Weighing 35 kg or more—10 tablets (600 mg abacavir and 300 mg lamivudine) once a day or 5 tablets 2 times a day.
        • Weighing 29 kg to less than 35 kg—8 tablets (480 mg abacavir and 240 mg lamivudine) once a day or 4 tablets 2 times a day.
        • Weighing 25 kg to less than 29 kg—7 tablets (420 mg abacavir and 210 mg lamivudine) once a day or 3.5 tablets 2 times a day.
        • Weighing 20 kg to less than 25 kg—6 tablets (360 mg abacavir and 180 mg lamivudine) once a day or 3 tablets 2 times a day.
        • Weighing 17 kg to less than 20 kg—5 tablets (300 mg abacavir and 150 mg lamivudine) once a day or 2.5 tablets 2 times a day.
        • Weighing 12 kg to less than 17 kg—4 tablets (240 mg abacavir and 120 mg lamivudine) once a day or 2 tablets 2 times a day.
        • Weighing 9 kg to less than 12 kg—3 tablets (180 mg abacavir and 90 mg lamivudine) once a day or 1.5 tablets 2 times a day.
        • Weighing 6 kg to less than 9 kg—2 tablets (120 mg abacavir and 60 mg lamivudine) once a day or 1 tablet 2 times a day.
        • Weighing 5 kg to less than 6 kg—1 ½ tablets (90 mg abacavir and 45 mg lamivudine) once a day or ½ tablet taken in the morning and 1 tablet taken in the evening.
      • Children younger than 3 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Throw away unused mixture within 1 hour.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

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