Kivexa® Tablets for HIV-1: Abacavir 600 mg + Lamivudine 300 mg

What Kivexa® Is and How It Works

Kivexa® combines abacavir 600 mg and lamivudine 300 mg in one tablet. It is an antiretroviral backbone used with other HIV-1 medicines. People often compare Kivexa price and look for Kivexa without insurance options because long-term therapy can be costly. Abacavir and lamivudine are nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). They block the reverse transcriptase enzyme, which HIV uses to copy its genetic material. This helps reduce viral load and supports CD4 count recovery when used in a fully active regimen.

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Kivexa is a once-daily tablet taken with or without food. It is not a complete regimen. It must be combined with other antiretroviral agents, such as an integrase inhibitor or a boosted protease inhibitor. Before starting abacavir, patients should have HLA-B*5701 testing. A positive result or a past abacavir hypersensitivity reaction are contraindications. Lamivudine can suppress hepatitis B virus; stopping lamivudine may lead to HBV flare in coinfected patients.

Dosage and Usage

The usual adult dose is one tablet (abacavir 600 mg/lamivudine 300 mg) once daily. Follow the treatment plan provided by the prescriber. The tablet may be taken with or without food and should be swallowed whole.

• Confirm HLA-B*5701-negative status before starting abacavir-containing therapy.
• Use Kivexa as part of combination therapy; it is not suitable as monotherapy.
• Take one tablet at the same time each day to support adherence.
• Swallow the tablet whole; do not split, crush, or chew.
• If a dose is missed, take it when remembered unless it is close to the next dose; do not double up.
• If vomiting occurs within one hour of a dose, a replacement dose may be considered per prescriber guidance.
• Do not restart abacavir after any suspected hypersensitivity reaction.
• In renal impairment (CrCl <50 mL/min), the fixed-dose tablet may not be appropriate; individual components may be needed.

Storage and travel tips:

• Store at 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) in a dry place away from moisture.
• Keep tablets in the original container with the label intact.
• Do not use past the expiration date.
• During travel, keep medicine in carry-on luggage with a copy of the prescription.
• Avoid extreme heat or freezing temperatures.
• Use a pill organizer only if humidity is controlled; otherwise keep in the bottle.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.
• If a dose is due during a flight, set an alarm to maintain timing across time zones.

Benefits and Savings

Kivexa simplifies the NRTI backbone into a single daily tablet. Abacavir/lamivudine remains a well-studied option in modern HIV regimens. When combined with an active third agent, many patients reach virologic suppression and improved CD4 counts. Once-daily dosing supports adherence, and the tablet can be taken with or without food, which adds convenience.

Ordering through YouDrugstore helps lower treatment costs. You can buy Kivexa online at Canadian pricing and often save 60–80% compared to typical US prices. Multi-month supplies and bulk promotions can lower the per-month Kivexa cost. Reorder reminders help you avoid gaps. These options can be helpful for those managing Kivexa without insurance. If you are looking for deals, see our Kivexa coupon page for current promotions.

Because Kivexa is a brand product, some patients also compare the generic Kivexa price by reviewing abacavir/lamivudine equivalents where available.

Side Effects and Safety

Common effects are usually mild to moderate and tend to improve over time. Not everyone will experience side effects, and many patients tolerate therapy well.

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Headache or dizziness
• Tiredness or malaise
• Trouble sleeping
• Fever or chills
• Rash
• Cough or sore throat
• Abdominal discomfort

Abacavir can cause a serious hypersensitivity reaction, often within the first 6 weeks. Symptoms may include fever, rash, gastrointestinal issues (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain), and respiratory symptoms (cough, dyspnea). Patients must not restart abacavir after a hypersensitivity reaction. Other serious risks include lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, hepatic flares in hepatitis B coinfection after stopping lamivudine, pancreatitis, and possible increased cardiovascular risk with abacavir. Duplicate therapy with lamivudine or emtricitabine should be avoided. Alcohol can increase abacavir levels. Abacavir may lower methadone concentrations, so monitoring is advised.

Onset Time

With a fully active regimen, viral load often begins to decline within 2–4 weeks. Many patients see substantial reductions by 8–12 weeks and may reach suppression within 12–24 weeks, depending on baseline viral load, adherence, and the third agent selected. CD4 counts tend to rise gradually over months. Symptom improvement follows viral control and immune recovery. Staying on the prescribed schedule is key for sustained response.

Compare With Alternatives

Single-tablet regimens simplify therapy by combining the backbone and third agent. For example, Biktarvy® contains bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide in one pill. It removes the need to pair Kivexa with an additional agent and is widely used for initial and switch therapy.

An integrase inhibitor plus Kivexa is another approach. Raltegravir, branded as Isentress®, can be combined with abacavir/lamivudine for certain patients, though dosing and pill count differ from single-tablet options. A boosted protease inhibitor such as atazanavir (with ritonavir or cobicistat) plus Kivexa is also used, but this may increase interactions and require food or acid-reducing agent considerations. Choice depends on resistance profile, comorbidities, renal and hepatic function, and patient preference.

Combination Therapy

• Kivexa + dolutegravir: a common once-daily regimen; avoid if HLA-B*5701 positive.
• Kivexa + raltegravir: may suit certain patients; pill burden is higher.
• Kivexa + boosted atazanavir: consider food requirements and interaction profile.
• Kivexa + boosted darunavir: effective in many cases; monitor lipids and liver enzymes.
• Avoid combining lamivudine with emtricitabine due to overlap.
• Methadone-treated patients may need dose review because abacavir can lower methadone levels.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Kivexa may be suitable for adults and adolescents who need an NRTI backbone and test negative for HLA-B*5701. It works best when paired with a fully active third agent, based on resistance testing and treatment history. The fixed-dose tablet is generally not advised for significant renal impairment (CrCl <50 mL/min). Moderate to severe hepatic impairment also requires caution or alternative choices.

Kivexa is not appropriate for anyone with a prior abacavir hypersensitivity reaction. Patients with active hepatitis B coinfection need careful planning before any lamivudine changes because stopping can cause HBV flare. Cardiovascular risk should be considered when selecting abacavir-containing regimens, especially in smokers or those with known heart disease.

To manage costs, consider multi-month fills, which can lower the per-month Kivexa tablets price. Set reorder reminders so you do not run out. You can order Kivexa tablets or purchase Kivexa through our site or by phone during office hours. Pricing transparency helps those paying the Kivexa cash price or managing care with no insurance. Customers often compare Kivexa cost online and look for a Kivexa discount when planning long-term therapy.

Authoritative Sources

See the manufacturer’s overview for more details: ViiV Healthcare: Kivexa product information.

Product details are also available from Health Canada: Health Canada Drug Product Database: Kivexa.

For US labeling of the abacavir/lamivudine combination (Epzicom), review the FDA materials: FDA Prescribing Information portal.

Order Kivexa® from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express shipping.

This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s instructions and local guidelines.