We know how important it is to take your prescribed medication on time when living with HIV. Your doctor may have prescribed you a combination of three drugs in one pill. Today we are going to talk about one such drug, a combination of three drugs called Abacavir, Dolutegravir and Lamivudine. It is available under the brand name Triumeq PD. After reading this article, you will have a better understanding of this drug.
Simply put, what happens with this medicine?
This is actually one pill, but it contains three powerful drugs that fight the HIV virus. We call these antiretroviral medications. The main function of this medicine is to control the HIV virus in your body. That is, it stops the virus from multiplying and spreading inside your body.
The most important thing: This is not a cure for HIV. However, it can help control the virus, keep your immune system strong, and help you live a healthy, normal life.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before your doctor prescribes this medication, he or she will need to have a complete picture of your health. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell them about it.
- Heart disease: If you have any heart problems, such as a history of high cholesterol.
- Kidney disease: If there is any weakness in the functioning of the kidneys, knowing this will help the doctor to determine the correct dosage of medication.
- Liver disease: This is especially important if you have a liver disease like Hepatitis B.
- Allergies: Tell us if you have any allergies to any other medicine, food, or dye, not just to Abacavir, Dolutegravir, or Lamivudine contained in this medicine.
How exactly do you use this medicine?
This medication comes in the form of a tablet for oral suspension. Therefore, it is very important to know the correct way to use it.
1. Dissolving: Add water to the 20 milliliter (20 mL) cup that comes with the medicine and place the tablet in it.
2. Stirring: Stir well for about a minute or two. It should dissolve without any lumps remaining.
3. Drink immediately: This should be consumed within 30 minutes after dissolving.
4. Before or after food?: You can take this with or without food. However, if you feel an upset stomach, it is better to eat some food and drink it.
5. Keep a gap with some medications: Do not take antacids, iron supplements, calcium supplements, etc. for stomach inflammation and gastritis at the same time as this medicine. You should take such things 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking this medicine . Ask your doctor for more information about this.
Never break, crush, or chew the pill. Take the prescribed dose at the prescribed time, as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip doses. Doing so can cause the HIV virus to become resistant not only to this medication, but also to other medications.
The most dangerous thing to be especially careful of is - severe allergies!
This is the most important thing to know about this medicine. A small number of people can have a severe allergic reaction (severe hypersensitivity reaction) to the medicine called Abacavir, which is contained in this medicine. This can be life-threatening.
Your doctor will give you a warning card when you start taking this medication. It is important to keep that card with you at all times.
Be very careful about these symptoms:
- A skin rash
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach ache
- Extreme fatigue, body aches
- The feeling of "it's really hard" that is usually felt
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, stop taking the medicine immediately and contact your doctor immediately. Do not restart this medicine for any reason without your doctor's advice. Doing so can cause very serious side effects within a few hours.
Other medicines that are incompatible with this medicine
It is important to tell your doctor about all the medications, vitamins, and herbal products you take, as some medications can interact with this medicine. The table below lists some of these medications.
| Drug type | Examples and special notes |
|---|---|
| Medicines that should never be taken | Dofetilide (a medicine for heart disease). Any other medicine containing Abacavir or Lamivudine. |
| Other HIV or AIDS medications | Drugs such as Efavirenz, Etravirine, Nevirapine, Tipranavir/ritonavir. |
| Medications for epilepsy | Drugs such as Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital. |
| Medicines for stomach problems | Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium, Sucralfate. (Keep a gap of several hours). |
| Medicines for other infections | Rifampin (a medicine for tuberculosis), Ribavirin, Sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim (SMX-TMP). |
| Other medications and supplements | Metformin (for diabetes), Methadone, St. John's Wort (an herbal extract), iron and calcium supplements. |
What side effects can be expected?
Like any medicine, this one can have some side effects. Some are serious, some are common. It's important to know what they are.
| If you experience these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Liver Injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine. |
| Heart Attack | Tightness in the chest, shoulders, and arms, difficulty breathing, and sweating. |
| Lactic acidosis (High Lactic Acid) | Muscle twitching or pain, stomach pain, difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue. |
| Severe skin reactions | Skin redness, blistering, peeling (even inside the mouth). |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Diarrhea | It usually subsides within a few days. |
| Headache | There may be a slight headache. |
| Difficulty falling asleep | Sleep may be disturbed. |
| Fatigue | You may feel a little tired. |
What to do in an emergency?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Take-Home Message
- Always take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the right time. Never skip a dose.
- Be very careful about signs of a severe allergic reaction (fever, skin rash, stomach pain). If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking the medicine and call your doctor immediately.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking.
- If you stop taking the medication for any reason, never start it again without your doctor's advice.
- This medicine controls the HIV virus, but does not cure it completely. So continue to follow your doctor's instructions.
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