Kivexa is a drug made up of two active substances: abacavir and lamivudine. This drug belongs to the group of antiretroviral drugs called nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). It is used in the treatment of HIV infection. And although this medicine does not completely cure HIV infection, it does reduce the amount of virus in the body.
Kivexa reduces the levels of HIV in the blood, keeping it at a low level. In the same way, it contributes to the increase of CD4 cells (white blood cells that help fight infection) in the blood.
Kivexa is available in bottles of 30 600/300 mg coated tablets, that is 600 mg of abacavir and 300 mg of lamivudine. The usual daily dose is one tablet once a day. You can do it with or without meals.
You should not receive the treatment if the person is allergic to the active substances abacavir and lamivudine. Similarly, it is contraindicated in patients with severe liver or kidney disease. It is not recommended for use in pregnant women. It is best to notify the specialist about the risks and benefits of taking kivexa during pregnancy.
By taking a treatment with kivexa, the HIV patient will be able to keep the disease under control, preventing it from getting worse, that is why it is important to take the prescribed dose as indicated by the doctor. Similarly, it should be taken regularly, since if it is done discontinuously, the patient runs the risk of developing a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir, this occurs mainly during the first 5 weeks after starting treatment.
The discomforts that may occur during treatment are: headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, cough, pain in the joints, loss of appetite, fatigue, skin rash, insomnia, liver problems (jaundice, hepatitis), fever, runny nose, tingling sensation on the skin.
It is recommended to see a specialist if the aforementioned discomforts occur. Finally, some of the drugs that could increase the appearance of adverse effects or make them worse are presented: cotrimoxazole (infections), methadone (narcotic, analgesic), phenytoin (epilepsy).
