Generic name: Abacavir Oral Solution [ a-BAK-a-veer ]
Brand name: Ziagen
Drug class: Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 9, 2024.

Uses of Abacavir Oral Solution:

• It is used to treat HIV infection.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Abacavir Oral Solution?

• If you have an allergy to abacavir or any other part of abacavir oral solution.
• If you are allergic to abacavir oral solution; any part of abacavir oral solution; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have liver disease.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take abacavir oral solution.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with abacavir oral solution.

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 abacavir oral solution 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 Abacavir Oral Solution?

For all patients taking abacavir oral solution:

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take abacavir oral solution. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• A higher chance of heart attack was seen in people who took abacavir. 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, man older than 40 years of age, other family members with early heart disease, woman after change of life). Talk with your doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Read the warning card and carry it with you at all times. It tells the signs to watch for in case an allergy happens.
• If abacavir oral solution is stopped because you have an allergy to it, do not restart it. It may not be safe to restart abacavir oral solution. Throw away any of abacavir oral solution that you have not taken. If you are not sure how to throw away unused drugs, check with your pharmacist.
• If abacavir oral solution is stopped for any other reason, do not restart it without talking to the doctor. It could be very risky to restart on your own.
• Do not run out of abacavir oral solution.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol or take products that have alcohol in them.
• This medicine is not a cure for HIV. Stay under the care of your doctor.
• This medicine does not stop the spread of diseases like HIV or hepatitis that are passed through blood or having sex. Do not have any kind of sex without using a latex or polyurethane condom. Do not share needles or other things like toothbrushes or razors.
• Rarely, abacavir oral solution may cause a swollen liver and a buildup of acid in the blood. Sometimes, this may be deadly. The risk may be higher in women, in overweight people, and in people who have taken drugs like this one for a long time.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using abacavir oral solution while you are pregnant.

Children:

• If giving abacavir oral solution to your child and your child's weight changes, talk with the doctor. The dose of abacavir oral solution may need to be changed.

How is this medicine (Abacavir Oral Solution) best taken?

Use abacavir oral solution as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food.
• Keep taking abacavir oral solution as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• It is important that you do not miss or skip a dose of abacavir oral solution during treatment.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with abacavir oral solution. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure abacavir oral solution.

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.

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 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 liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• 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.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Low mood (depression).
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Eye irritation.
• Mouth sores.
• Muscle or joint pain.
• Swollen gland.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Swelling.
• Chills.
• 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 abacavir oral solution. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new signs after you start abacavir oral solution, even after taking it for several months. This includes signs of infection like fever, sore throat, weakness, cough, or shortness of breath.

Related/similar drugs

Biktarvy, Descovy, Truvada, abacavir, emtricitabine, lamivudine, Atripla, Stribild, Epzicom, Complera

What are some other side effects of Abacavir Oral Solution?

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.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Bad dreams.
• 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 the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

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.

How do I store and/or throw out Abacavir Oral Solution?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• It may be refrigerated to make it taste better.
• Do not freeze.
• 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.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• 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.
• This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time abacavir oral solution is refilled. If you have any questions about abacavir oral solution, 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.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer