Kivexa

Description

What is Kivexa (Epzicom)?

As a mixed combination of ARV medicines, Kivexa is composed of Abacavir and Lamivudine. With its effectiveness in giving aid to people who have HIV, this medicine is a perfect choice for the said medical therapy.  Kivexa is the brand name of Abacavir-Lamivudine and is available under the name Epzicom, A-Bec L and Abamune L.

How does the drug work?

The two HIV medicines comprising Kivexa are Abacavir and Lamivudine. Both of these are categorized as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Their main role is to stop the virus from keeping its infective functions and lessen the viral load inside the body. It also lowers the capacity of HIV to recreate its own copies.

Dosage

• Adult Dosage – 1 tablet daily
• Adolescents Dosage - 1 tablet daily
• Children Dosage - 1 tablet daily for children weighing 25 kgs

How to take it?

Consuming this medication is done with water or food. A leaflet included with the medication will show the right way of taking it. There are things you need to follow in order to make the treatment an effective one. Some of these include following the right schedule, avoiding skipping doses, and taking too much of the required dosage. Moreover, the most important thing to follow is your doctor’s prescription.

Epzicom Side Effects

Some of these medications’ side effects will last for only a small duration of time. However, there are also those that endure for weeks or more. If cases like this occur, seek medical attention at once.

Mild Side Effects: 

• Headache
• Fever
• Trouble sleeping
• Nausea
• Rash
• Feeling Tired

Severe Side Effects: 

• Excessive tiredness or weakness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Blisters or peeling of the skin
• Jaundice
• Tingling in the arms or legs
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Light-coloured bowels
• Abdominal pain
• Joint pain
• Difficulty breathing

Storage

As Kivexa can be easily damaged once exposed to intense sunlight, keep it somewhere safe and away from foreign objects that can harm it. Do not store Kivexa with your food supply. Store it in a properly sealed container.