ABACAVIR (Generic for ZIAGEN)

Abacavir Sulfate 300mg, Oral tablet

Alcohol

· Severity: Major

· Notes for Consumers: Side effects from Abacavir such as nausea/vomiting, tiredness, loss of appetite, headache, or problems with sleep may get worse if you drink alcohol-containing drinks. Avoid alcohol-containing drinks while taking abacavir.

· Notes for Professionals: Because abacavir is metabolized via alcohol dehydrogenase, ethanol decreases the elimination of abacavir causing an increase in overall exposure to abacavir. In a study involving HIV-infected men, coadministration of ethanol and abacavir resulted in a 41% increase in abacavir AUC and a 26% increase in abacavir half-life. In males, abacavir had no effect on the pharmacokinetic properties of ethanol; this interaction has not been studied in females. Abacavir has no effect on the pharmacokinetic properties of ethanol (alcohol).

Abacavir Sulfate 300mg, Oral tablet

Marijuana

· Severity: Moderate

· Notes for Consumers: The effects of marijuana may be increased and side effects may get worse if it is combined with this medicine. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this combination will affect you. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice slurred speech, confusion, severe drowsiness, increased heart rate, or any other new or unusual side effects.

· Notes for Professionals: The pharmacokinetic parameters of anti-retroviral medications (anti-retroviral non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), anti-retroviral nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), anti-retroviral nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and anti-retroviral protease inhibitors) metabolized through the CYP isoenzyme system are slightly altered by smoked and oral marijuana. Despite this interaction, marijuana is not expected to adversely affect anti-retroviral efficacy. However, the incidence of marijuana associated adverse effects may change following coadministration with anti-retroviral drugs. Many anti-retrovirals are inhibitors of CYP3A4, an isoenzyme partially responsible for the metabolism of marijuana's most psychoactive compound, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9-THC).[42448] When given concurrently with anti-retrovirals, the amount of Delta-9-THC converted to the active metabolite 11-hydroxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC) may be reduced. These changes in Delta-9-THC and 11-OH-THC plasma concentrations may result in an altered marijuana adverse event profile.

<b>DISCLAIMER:</b><em> This drug information content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always consult their physician with any questions regarding a medical condition and to obtain medical advice and treatment. Drug information is sourced from GSDD (Gold Standard Drug Database ) provided by Elsevier.</em>