EPZICOM (Lamivudine plus Abacavir)

This chapter provides the basic characteristics, side effects/toxicity, drug interactions, and dosage information of the Epzicom (Lamivudine Plus Abacavir). Lamivudine and abacavir lead to changes in the structure of HIV reverse transcriptase, leading to preferred incorporation of cytosine and guanasine triphosphate; this results in decreased incorporation of lamivudine and carbavir triphosphate, which allows transcription of DNA to continue. Serious and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions, with multiple organ involvement, have occurred with abacavir, a component of Epzicom. Epzicom can be taken with or without food and is unaffected by pH. Epzicom is administered in a fixed dose combination of lamivudine 300 mg and abacavir 600 mg. The recommended adult dose is one tablet daily. Epzicom should be used in combination with other antiretroviral agents. Epzicom contains lamivudine and abacavir and should not be used with medications containing these components, including Trizivir, Combivir, Epzicom, Ziagen, Triumeq, and Epivir.