Kivexa (Abacavir And Lamivudine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Kivexa Used For?
Kivexa is an antiretroviral medication that contains two active ingredients: abacavir and lamivudine. It’s specifically designed to treat HIV infection and help slow down the progression of the virus.
Primary Uses
Kivexa is used together with other antiretroviral medicines to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and slow down its progression to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other related illnesses like AIDS-related Complex (ARC).
How It Works
Kivexa doesn’t cure AIDS or kill the HIV virus completely, but it delays further damage to your immune system by stopping the production of new viruses. This helps your immune system stay stronger for longer.
Good to know: While taking Kivexa, the risk of passing HIV to others is lowered by effective antiretroviral therapy, though proper precautions should still be taken.
How to Take Kivexa
Kivexa is taken as a tablet that should be swallowed whole with water. It’s designed for once-daily dosing to make it easier to stick to your treatment routine.
Dosage Instructions
The normal dose for adults and adolescents is one tablet once a day. Swallow the tablet whole with water. You don’t need to take Kivexa with food – it can be taken on an empty stomach or with meals. Continue taking Kivexa until your doctor tells you to stop.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Take Kivexa at the same time each day. If you miss your dose, take it as soon as you remember, then continue as normal. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. If you’ve stopped taking Kivexa for any reason, contact your doctor before restarting.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Diarrhea
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Rash
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- High temperature
- Joint and muscle pain
- Hair loss
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Hypersensitivity reaction (serious allergic reaction with rash, fever, breathing problems)
- Lactic acidosis (deep rapid breathing, drowsiness, numbness in limbs, severe nausea/vomiting)
- Anaphylactic reaction (wheezing, lip/mouth swelling, difficulty breathing, fainting)
- Severe anemia
- Serious skin reactions
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
Important Warnings
Kivexa contains abacavir, which can cause a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction called hypersensitivity reaction. There are also other important warnings to be aware of before starting treatment.
Who Should Not Take Kivexa
Don’t take Kivexa if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to abacavir (also found in TRIUMEQ, TRIZIVIR, and ZIAGEN) or lamivudine, or any ingredients including sunset yellow aluminium lake (E110). Also avoid if you have serious liver disease or severe kidney disease.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take other medicines, or have allergies to medicines, foods, preservatives, or dyes. If you have moderate kidney disease, you’ll need closer monitoring. People with advanced HIV may experience symptoms of infection and inflammation as their immune system strengthens.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking Kivexa, tell your doctor immediately.
Hypersensitivity Reaction: Contact your doctor immediately if you get a skin rash OR symptoms from at least two groups: fever; breathing problems/sore throat/cough; nausea/vomiting/diarrhea/stomach pain; severe tiredness/achiness. Never take Kivexa again if you’ve had this reaction – it can be fatal.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with how Kivexa works. Always tell your healthcare providers about all medicines you’re taking, including over-the-counter products.
Important: Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure about any medicines, vitamins, or supplements you’re taking and how they might affect Kivexa.
- Emtricitabine (should not be taken together)
- Sorbitol-containing medicines (usually liquids) when used regularly
- Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole) – an antibiotic
- Methadone (your doctor may need to adjust the dose)
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious about activities requiring alertness until you know how Kivexa affects you personally.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned in the prescribing information, but discuss alcohol use with your doctor as part of your overall HIV treatment plan.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Don’t drive or operate machinery unless you’re sure you’re not affected by the medication. While no specific studies have been done on Kivexa’s effects on driving ability, consider your health status and any side effects before driving or using machines.
Temperature Regulation
No specific temperature regulation warnings are mentioned for Kivexa.
Storage
Keep your tablets in the original bottle until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, on a windowsill, or in the car, as heat and dampness can damage the medicine. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is ideal.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Kivexa, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department. Do this even if you don’t feel unwell or show signs of poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kivexa begins working to stop HIV virus production immediately, but it may take several months to see improvements in your immune system. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular blood tests.
Yes, Kivexa can be taken with or without food. The tablets should be swallowed whole with water.
Take it as soon as you remember, then continue with your normal schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
No, never stop taking Kivexa without your doctor’s advice. HIV treatment needs to be continuous to prevent the virus from getting worse. If you’ve stopped for any reason, contact your doctor before restarting.
It’s a serious allergic reaction that can include skin rash, fever, breathing problems, nausea, vomiting, or severe tiredness. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms. If you’ve had this reaction once, never take Kivexa or other abacavir-containing medicines again.
Yes, your doctor will arrange regular blood tests to monitor for side effects and check how well the treatment is working. Keep all your doctor’s appointments.
Yes, you can still pass HIV through sexual contact or blood contamination, although effective antiretroviral therapy lowers the risk. Continue using proper precautions and discuss prevention methods with your doctor.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.