EPZICOM.com home page for healthcare professionals

Learn more about the test for hypersensitivity

Now a preferred NRTI backbone on DHHS guidelines

EPZICOM is a combination of abacavir sulfate and lamivudine in one tablet, taken once a day as part of a regimen to fight HIV infection.

EPZICOM or its components have been studied in more than 30 clinical trials with a variety of third agents, including both NNRTIs and PIs.

The most significant adverse event associated with EPZICOM is hypersensitivity to abacavir. Data presented at the 2007 International AIDS Society conference in Sydney show that prospectively screening individuals for their HLA-B*5701 status helps identify patients at greater risk for hypersensitivity to abacavir-containing products.

With once-daily dosing and no food or fluid requirements, your patients could benefit from the convenience of EPZICOM as the backbone of their combination HIV therapy.

Screening can help identify patients at greater risk of a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir. How does the test work?

Indication and Usage

EPZICOM, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. EPZICOM is one of multiple products containing abacavir

Before starting EPZICOM, review medical history for prior exposure to any abacavir-containing product in order to avoid reintroduction in a patient with a history of hypersensitivity to abacavir. In one controlled study, more patients taking abacavir 600 mg once daily had severe hypersensitivity reactions compared to patients taking abacavir 300 mg twice daily

It is not recommended that EPZICOM be used as a component of a triple-nucleoside regimen

Important Safety Information

EPZICOM contains abacavir sulfate, which has been associated with serious and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions. Hypersensitivity to abacavir is a multi-organ clinical syndrome usually characterized by a sign or symptom in 2 or more of the following groups: (1) fever, (2) rash, (3) gastrointestinal (including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain), (4) constitutional (including generalized malaise, fatigue, or achiness), and (5) respiratory (including dyspnea, cough, or pharyngitis). Discontinue EPZICOM as soon as a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected. Permanently discontinue EPZICOM if hypersensitivity cannot be ruled out, even when other diagnoses are possible
Following a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir, NEVER restart EPZICOM or any other abacavir-containing product because more severe symptoms can occur within hours and may include life-threatening hypotension and death
Reintroduction of EPZICOM or any other abacavir-containing product, even in patients who have no identified history or unrecognized symptoms of hypersensitivity to abacavir therapy, can result in serious or fatal hypersensitivity reactions. Such reactions can occur within hours
Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogues alone or in combination, including abacavir, lamivudine, and other antiretrovirals
EPZICOM Tablets are contraindicated in patients with hepatic impairment
Severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis B have been reported in patients who are coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV and have discontinued lamivudine, which is one component of EPZICOM. Hepatic function should be monitored closely with both clinical and laboratory follow-up for at least several months in patients who discontinue EPZICOM and are coinfected with HIV and HBV. If appropriate, initiation of anti-hepatitis B therapy may be warranted
Hepatic decompensation (some fatal) has occurred in HIV/HCV coinfected patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV and interferon with or without ribavirin. Patients receiving interferon with or without ribavirin and EPZICOM should be closely monitored for treatment-associated toxicities, especially hepatic decompensation. Discontinuation of EPZICOM should be considered as medically appropriate
Immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, including EPZICOM. During the initial phase of combination antiretroviral treatment, patients whose immune systems respond may develop an inflammatory response to indolent or residual opportunistic infections (such as Mycobacterium avium infection, cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia [PCP], or tuberculosis), which may necessitate further evaluation and treatment
Redistribution/accumulation of body fat has been observed in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. The causal relationship, mechanism, and long-term consequences of these events are currently unknown
In one study of therapy-naïve patients (CNA 30021), the most common adverse events (grade 2-4) reported with abacavir and lamivudine dosed once daily were hypersensitivity (9%), insomnia (7%), depression (7%), headache/migraine (7%), fatigue (6%), dizziness (6%), nausea (5%), diarrhea (5%), rash (5%), pyrexia (5%), abdominal pain (4%), abnormal dreams (4%), and anxiety (3%)