Abacavir

Common side effects that may occur are:

• Stomach discomfort, nausea and/or vomiting. Eating small frequent meals or sucking on hard, sugar-free candy may help to reduce these side effects.
• Fever, feeling tired. Taking paracetamol or ibuprofen can help reduce the fever.
• Headache or muscle aches. Taking painkillers e.g. paracetamol can help to reduce the pain.
• Loose stools. Rehydrate yourself by drinking lots of water.
• Change in body fat. Fat accumulation around the waist and sometimes accompanied by thinning of legs, arms, buttocks and face.

Inform your doctor if the side effects become severe and bothersome.

Abacavir can also cause hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) characterised by fever, worsening of cough or breathlessness, severe abdominal pain, rashes, severe diarrhea and/or vomiting. It can occur at any time during treatment with Abacavir, especially during the first 6 weeks of treatment initiation. Monitor for such symptoms closely and inform your doctor immediately if these signs and symptoms appear or become severe. These symptoms will usually resolve upon discontinuation of medication.

Abacavir may also affect the cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels and liver enzymes level. Your doctor will routinely monitor the levels prior to the treatment initiation and while your child is on this medication.