Abacavir, Dolutegravir, and Lamivudine

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Triumeq; Triumeq PD

Brand Names: Canada

Triumeq

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat HIV infection.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

All products:

• If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have been tested and know that you have a gene type called HLA-B*5701.
• If you have any of these health problems: Kidney disease or liver disease.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Dofetilide, etravirine, nevirapine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or St. John’s wort.
• If you are taking a drug that has sorbitol in it.
• If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Before taking this drug, you will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby. You will also need to talk about the best way to prevent passing HIV to the baby.

Tablets:

• If your child weighs less than 55 pounds (25 kilograms).

Tablets for suspension:

• If the patient is younger than 3 months old or weighs less than 13 pounds (6 kilograms).
• If the patient weighs 55 pounds (25 kilograms) or more.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have your blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by your doctor.
• This drug is not a cure for HIV. Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well. Be sure to stay under the care of your doctor and have regular appointments.
• This drug helps to lower how much HIV is in the blood. Lowering the amount of HIV in the blood until it is not detected on blood tests can help lower the risk of spreading HIV to others. There are also other ways to help prevent the spread of HIV to others. This includes using condoms during sex and not sharing needles and other injection equipment. Talk with your doctor or other health care provider about the best way to prevent spreading HIV to others.
• If this drug is stopped because you have an allergy to it, do not restart it. Throw away any of this drug that you have not taken. If you are not sure how to throw away unused drugs, check with your pharmacist.
• If this drug is stopped for a reason other than an allergy, do not restart it without talking to the doctor. It could be very risky to restart on your own.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
• Some studies have shown a higher risk of heart attack with abacavir. However, other studies have not shown this risk. It is not known if abacavir caused this effect.
• Use care if you have risks for heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight, high blood sugar or diabetes, cigarette smoking, male older than 40 years of age, other family members with early heart disease, female after menopause). Talk with your doctor.
• Rarely, this drug may cause a swollen liver and a buildup of acid in the blood. Sometimes, this may be deadly. The risk may be higher in females, in overweight people, and in people who have taken drugs like this one for a long time.
• Liver problems have happened with this drug. Sometimes, this has been very bad and a liver transplant has been needed. Talk with the doctor.
• If you are able to get pregnant, your doctor may have you take a pregnancy test before starting this drug.
• Talk to your doctor about using birth control to prevent pregnancy while you take this drug. If you get pregnant, call your doctor right away.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Signs of too much lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis) like fast breathing, fast heartbeat, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, very bad upset stomach or throwing up, feeling very sleepy, shortness of breath, feeling very tired or weak, very bad dizziness, feeling cold, or muscle pain or cramps.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Dizziness or passing out.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Mouth sores.
• Eye irritation.
• Muscle pain or weakness.
• Joint pain.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Swelling.
• Swollen gland.
• Changes in your immune system can happen when you start taking drugs to treat HIV. If you have an infection that you did not know you had, it may show up when you take this drug. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new signs after you start this drug, even after taking it for several months. This includes signs of infection like fever, sore throat, weakness, cough, or shortness of breath.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Feeling tired or weak.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

All products:

• Take with or without food.
• Do not chew, break, or crush.
• It is important that you do not miss or skip a dose of this drug during treatment.
• Do not run out of this drug.
• If you take products that have iron, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, or zinc in them (like some antacids or vitamins), you may need to take them at some other time than this drug. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you take other drugs, they may need to be taken at a different time than this drug. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about the best time to take them.
• This drug comes as 2 different types of tablets. One type is a tablet that is swallowed. The other type is a tablet that is dissolved in liquid before swallowing. Check this drug each time you get it filled to be sure you have the right type of tablet. If you do not or if you are not sure, talk with your pharmacist.

Tablets for suspension:

• Do not let your child swallow it whole.
• Use the cup that is given to you with this drug. If you are using 3 tablets, place them in 15 mL of water. If you are using more than 3 tablets, place them in 20 mL of water. Swirl until no lumps are left. Make sure your child is upright. Give the dose within 30 minutes of mixing. Do not store for future use. Rinse cup with up to 15 mL of water, swirl, and give to your child. Do this again if any drug is still in the cup.
• If your child cannot use the cup, you may give the mixture using an oral syringe. Ask your pharmacist what size syringe to use.
• Ask the doctor what to do if your child is not able to take the full dose. Ask the doctor what to do if your child throws up or spits up after taking this drug.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• If you are not sure what to do if you miss a dose, call your doctor.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Store in the original container. Do not take out the antimoisture cube or packet.
• Keep lid tightly closed.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• This drug comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time this drug is refilled. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2024-02-22

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