Abacavir: What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Abacavir

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What are the possible side effects of abacavir?

Stop using abacavir and call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction from two or more of these specific side effect groups:

• Group 1 - fever;
• Group 2 - rash;
• Group 3 - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
• Group 4 - general tiredness, body aches;
• Group 5 - shortness of breath, cough, sore throat.

Once you have had an allergic reaction to abacavir, you must never use it again. If you stop taking abacavir for any reason, talk to your doctor before you start taking the medication again.

Abacavir can cause other serious side effects that may not be signs of an allergic reaction. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• lactic acidosis -- muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, nausea with vomiting, and fast or uneven heart rate;
• liver damage -- nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• severe skin symptoms -- fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• pancreatitis -- severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
• wheezing, trouble breathing, feeling light-headed, fainting;
• vision changes or increased sensitivity to light;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• any other signs of new infection.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• sleep problems or strange dreams;
• headache, mood changes; or
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk).

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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Last updated:	April 19, 2007