KIVEXA

Kivexa Information

Kivexa is a medicine based on two active ingredients, Abacavir and Lamivudine. These two nucleoside analogues are found in the Kivexa tablets in a concentration of 600 mg (Abacavir) and 300 mg respectively (Lamivudine). This medicine is typically prescribed for the treatment of patients that are suffering from an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Kivexa Indications

Kivexa is a combination of drugs commonly employed in the treatment of adult and adolescent patients (over 12 years of age) that have a diagnosed infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), however this medicine is not a cure for the infection. In some particular cases, this medicine may be employed as part of the medication therapy for other affections as well – for example, Lamivudine may be used as part of the hepatitis B treatment. If you are not sure why you have been prescribed a treatment with Kivexa, your personal health care specialist is able to provide you with further information regarding this decision.

Kivexa Warnings

Patients that are allergic to any of the medicine excipients should not start a therapy course with Kivexa. Also, usage of this medical product is not recommended in the case of patients with severe hepatic impairment. Typically, this drug is not prescribed for the treatment of patients that may require special dosage adjustment – such as patients suffering from kidney or liver damage, children or patients that weigh less than 40 kg. However, your prescriber may decide that the Kivexa therapy is appropriate – in this case special monitoring during the course of the treatment is in order. This medicine may not be suitable for the treatment of pregnant women and breast feeding mothers.

Kivexa Intake Guidelines

Kivexa is typically employed in a single daily dose medication regimen under the direct supervision of a health care professional specialized in HIV therapy. Due to the fixed dose of the medicine, in some cases the prescriber will recommend different preparations based on the same ingredient in order to achieve similar therapeutic results, especially in the case of patients that require special dosage adjustments that are not possible in the case of Kivexa therapy. If you have been prescribed a treatment course with this medical product, your prescriber will also provide you with a set of intake directions which you should closely follow in order for the therapy to yield the best results. If you find that the medicine is causing symptoms of stomach upset, taking the pills during or immediately after a meal may reduce the gastric disturbances.

Kivexa Dosage

The typical Kivexa dosage is of one daily intake consisting of one tablet of the medication; however in certain situations the prescriber may decide to change this dosage in order for the best results to be achieved. If your supervising health care professional directs you to take a different dosage than the above, you should take the medicine as directed by your physician. Taking a different Kivexa dose than prescribed may result in the therapy not having the desired effects, and if you take higher doses of this medicine you may become affected by an overdose.

Kivexa Overdose

At this time, the exact symptoms of an overdose with Kivexa are not known. However, it is expected that in the case of an overdose the patient will experience severe symptoms derived from the side effects of the medicine. In most cases, immediate medical attention is required in order to control the patient’s condition and to prevent any severe consequences. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to contact the local poisons center or the medical facility closest to your location if you suspect an overdose with this medical product.

Kivexa Missed Dose

In case you miss a dose of Kivexa, you should take it as soon as possible when you remember. However, if another dose is almost due it is best to completely skip the dose that you have missed in order to avoid doubling the doses. It is generally best to set up a medication schedule that suits your lifestyle in order to reduce the chances of accidentally missing any medication doses.

Kivexa Side Effects

While most drugs and medicines including Kivexa may cause a number of unwanted effects to occur, these are generally rare as long as the medication is taken according to the prescriber’s indications. One of the most severe unwanted effects that occurs in roughly 5% of the cases is an allergic reaction to one or more of the medication ingredients, causing symptoms such as breathing difficulties due to closed throat, hives, rashes or facial swelling, sometimes coupled with swelling of the lips or tongue. Other adverse reactions are possible as well, ranging from mild to severe. It is best that you consult your supervising health care specialist regarding any unwanted effects that may appear at any point during your Kivexa therapy.

Kivexa Drug Reactions

In some cases, drugs may interact causing unwanted reactions, side effects or changes in the effectiveness of the medication therapy or in the drug effects on the organism. Kivexa may react to several medicinal products; the most common reactions occur when ddC or d4T class drugs are administered during a therapy course with Kivexa. However as these are also nucleoside analogue medicines, it is unlikely that you will be prescribed a simultaneous treatment with any of these. There are other drugs that may interact with Kivexa and are not listed here. For a full list of the medicines that should be avoided while following a therapy course with this pharmaceutical product it is best to consult your supervising health care professional or a pharmacist that is familiar with the HIV medication regimen.