Epzicom
Generic Name:
Abacavir and lamivudine
Brand Names:
Epzicom
Epzicom Description:
Epzicom is used in combination with other antiretroviral medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Epzicom will not cure or prevent HIV, but works to inhibit the virus’ ability to reproduce and slows the destruction of the immune system. Epzicom also slows the development of diseases that cause serious health problems related to HIV and AIDS.
It is important to note that Epzicom will not prevent the spread of HIV to other people.
Epzicom Uses:
Epzicom is used in the treatment of HIV in order to keep the virus from reproducing while slowing the destruction of the immune system.
HIV attacks the human immune system, killing good cells and interfering with the body’s ability to fight viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause disease. HIV makes the body more susceptible to disease that it would normally have the ability to fight, such as pneumonia or meningitis. Eventually, this can lead to illnesses that can result in death as HIV leads turns to AIDS. AIDS itself does not cause death, but the immune system deficiency that allows for the development of various illnesses can lead to death.
HIV targets the white blood cells that attack and eliminate foreign organisms that enter the body. HIV attaches to these cells and enters them. It then copies itself and enters the bloodstream, searching for more cells to attack. Eventually, the white blood cells attacked by the virus die, leaving the body with more HIV cells than white blood cells. This makes it very difficult for the body to fight disease.
Epzicom’s component drug abacavir is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). It works to slow the spread of HIV-infected cells in the body. The component drug lamivudine is also an NRTI and also slows the spread of HIV-infected cells.
Epzicom Interactions:
It is not recommended that the following drugs be used with Epzicom, though simultaneous use may be required in some cases. If both medications are prescribed together, your doctor may change your dose of one or both medications:
- Interferon Alfa
- Ribavirin
- Zalcitabine
- Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra)
- Methadone (Dolophine)
- Other HIV medications
Certain side effects may be increased when Epzicom is used with the following medications:
- Methadone
- Tipranavir
Epzicom Dosage Information:
Typical Dosage Recommendations
Epzicom is available as a tablet. The oral dose for adults is one tablet per day to be taken in combination with other antiretroviral agents. It can be taken with or without food.
Adjusting the dosage of Epzicom is difficult because it is a fixed-dose tablet. Patients who require dose adjustment, such as those with creatinine clearance less than 50 mL/min, those with liver impairment or those who experience side effects that may limit dosage, should not take Epzicom. Other options include taking each component drug individually: Epivir Oral Solution (lamivudine) or Ziagen Oral Solution (abacavir).
Missing a Dose
If you miss a dose of Epzicom, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your normal dosing schedule. Do not double dose. If you miss several doses, contact your doctor before resuming dosing again.
Overdosing
There are no antidotes for an Epzicom overdose. It is not known if Epzicom can be removed from the system through dialysis.
Seek emergency medical treatment following an overdose of Epzicom.
Epzicom FDA Approval:
August 2, 2004
Epzicom Recall/Black Box Warning Information:
The following are Black Box Warnings associated with Epzicom:
Epzicom is only intended for patients who would otherwise include its component drugs lamivudine and abacavir as part of their regimen.
Serious and possibly fatal hypersensitivity reactions have been associated with Epzicom’s component drug abacavir. Hypersensitivity is a multi-organ syndrome that is characterized by symptoms in two or more of the following groups:
- Fever
- Rash
- Gastrointestinal (nausea vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain)
- Constitutional (generalized malaise, fatigue, achiness)
- Respiratory (dyspnea, cough, pharyngitis)
If sensitivity is suspected, immediately stop taking Epzicom.
Patients who carry the HLA-B*5701 allele are at high risk for a hypersensitivity reaction. Screening for this allele is recommended before initiating treatment with Epzicom. If a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir occurs, never restart treatment with any medication containing abacavir, as symptoms can occur immediately including hypotension and death.
Nucleoside analogues, including abacavir, lamivudine and other antiretrovirals, when taken alone or in combination may cause lactic acidosis or sever hepatomegaly.
Patients who are infected with HIV and also infected with hepatitis B virus have reported exacerbated hepatitis B when discontinuing use of the component drug lamivudine. Monitor liver function closely for at least several months after discontinued treatment. Anti-hepatitis B therapy may be necessary.
Sources:
- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR600369/DSECTION=side-effects
- www.Epzicom.com
- http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm?fuseaction=Search.DrugDetails
- http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=11477#nlm34088-5
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a699012.html
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a696011.html
-
May 9, 2011, 1:27 pm
-
May 6, 2011, 1:37 pm
-
May 5, 2011, 12:55 pm
-
May 4, 2011, 1:29 pm
