Kivexa® abacavir/lamivudine tablets for HIV

What Kivexa® Is and How It Works

Kivexa® contains two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, abacavir 600 mg and lamivudine 300 mg, in one tablet. It is used with other antiretrovirals to treat HIV-1 in adults and adolescents. Most regimens use one tablet once daily. Many patients compare Kivexa price and look for options to reduce the Kivexa cost without insurance. You can take it with or without food.

Abacavir and lamivudine block reverse transcriptase. This slows viral replication and helps lower HIV RNA. Do not use Kivexa® as monotherapy or for hepatitis B infection. People with a history of abacavir hypersensitivity must never take abacavir again.

Youdrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy in Manitoba that follows Canadian pharmacy standards. Prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing. We offer brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices and also stock OTC health products. We partner with licensed, vetted international pharmacies so you receive authentic brand medications at fair, accessible prices.

Dosage and Usage

The usual adult dose is one tablet once daily. Follow the regimen your prescriber sets with your third agent.

• Confirm HLA-B*5701 status before first abacavir exposure. Do not restart abacavir after a suspected hypersensitivity reaction.
• Swallow the tablet whole with water. Take with or without food.
• Use Kivexa® only when the individual abacavir or lamivudine doses do not need adjustment.
• Renal impairment (CrCl <50 mL/min) often requires lamivudine dose changes, so the fixed-dose tablet is not recommended.
• Moderate or severe hepatic impairment may preclude abacavir use.

Missed dose guidance:

• If a dose is missed, take it when remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose.
• Do not take two doses at once.
• If abacavir hypersensitivity is suspected, do not take another dose and seek medical care.

Storage and travel:

• Store at 15–25°C (59–77°F) in the original container. Protect from moisture.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.
• When traveling, carry tablets in hand luggage with a copy of your prescription.
• Use a daily pill organizer to support adherence during trips.

Benefits and Savings

Kivexa® combines two NRTIs in one tablet. This can simplify the NRTI backbone of a regimen and support adherence. Abacavir/lamivudine remains a guideline-backed option when paired with a compatible third drug. Many patients achieve sustained viral suppression when therapy is taken as prescribed.

Ordering from Youdrugstore is simple, with online checkout and phone support during posted office hours. Our pricing often reflects 60–80% savings compared with typical US prices, which can help those buying without insurance. We also carry a broad range of HIV medicines for different regimen needs.

Side Effects and Safety

Common effects are usually mild to moderate and often improve over time. Serious reactions can occur and need urgent care.

• Common: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, insomnia, cough, fever, rash.
• Hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir: fever, rash, GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain), malaise, and respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, cough, sore throat). Do not restart abacavir after such a reaction.
• Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis have been reported with nucleoside analogues.
• Hepatitis B flare can occur after stopping lamivudine in patients co-infected with HBV.
• Pancreatitis, neutropenia, and anemia have occurred with lamivudine-containing regimens.
• Cardiovascular risk: some data suggest a possible association between abacavir and myocardial infarction; assess individual risk factors.
• Drug interactions: alcohol can increase abacavir levels; methadone may lower abacavir levels; trimethoprim can increase lamivudine exposure. Avoid duplicate therapy with emtricitabine or lamivudine.

Contraindications include prior abacavir hypersensitivity and HLA-B*5701 positivity. The fixed-dose tablet is not suitable if dose adjustments for renal or hepatic function are required. Breastfeeding is not recommended where HIV transmission is possible. Discuss vaccines, other medicines, and supplements with the care team.

Onset Time

After starting Kivexa® with a compatible third agent, viral load often begins to drop within 2–4 weeks. CD4 counts may rise over several weeks to months. Time to full suppression varies by baseline viral load, adherence, and the third agent selected. Regular monitoring of HIV RNA and CD4 helps track response.

Compare With Alternatives

Many patients prefer single-tablet regimens that include the NRTI backbone plus an anchor drug. One example is Biktarvy®, which combines bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide. It removes the need for a separate third agent but uses FTC/TAF rather than abacavir/lamivudine.

Others build a three-drug regimen around Kivexa®. An integrase inhibitor such as Isentress® (raltegravir) is one option. A boosted protease inhibitor such as Atazanavir can also be paired with Kivexa® when appropriate. Each choice depends on resistance history, comorbidities, and potential interactions.

Combination Therapy

Kivexa® provides the dual-NRTI backbone. It must be combined with a third agent to form a complete regimen. Common partners are integrase inhibitors (dolutegravir, bictegravir, raltegravir) or boosted protease inhibitors (atazanavir, darunavir). Avoid using additional lamivudine or emtricitabine with Kivexa® to prevent NRTI duplication. Coordinate all changes and interruptions with the treating clinician.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Kivexa® may suit patients who tolerate abacavir and do not need renal dose adjustments for lamivudine. It is not appropriate for those with prior abacavir hypersensitivity or who test HLA-B*5701 positive. Extra caution is needed in hepatic impairment and in patients with elevated cardiovascular risk. People with HBV/HIV coinfection need careful monitoring if therapy stops.

Ways to lower costs:

• Choose larger quantities when possible. Multi-month supplies can reduce the per-month price.
• Turn on reorder reminders in your account to avoid gaps in therapy.
• Compare NRTI backbone options when starting or switching therapy.

See our promotions page for current offers and any Kivexa coupon, including bulk options. You can also browse condition pages for Hiv and Aids to view related treatments and supplies. If needed, our customer-service chat is available during posted office hours for ordering support.

Authoritative Sources

For official product details, see the ViiV Healthcare Kivexa product page. Canadian information is available through the Health Canada Drug Product Database. US prescribing information for abacavir/lamivudine (marketed as Epzicom) is posted by the FDA.

Ready to proceed? You can order from Youdrugstore with a valid prescription, and our pharmacists review each order. We ship to the US with prompt, express, cold-chain shipping when required.

This information is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment choices, and personalized dosing. Product availability and packaging may vary by source country.