Drug Database: Abacavir / Dolutegravir / Lamivudine

What is Triumeq and Triumeq PD?

Triumeq and Triumeq PD are prescription medicines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of HIV infection in adults and children. Triumeq is approved for use in adults and children who weigh at least 55 lb (25 kg). Triumeq PD is approved for use in children who weigh 22 lb (10 kg) to less than 55 lb (25 kg). Triumeq and Triumeq PD can be used alone as a complete treatment regimen or with other HIV medicines.

Triumeq and Triumeq PD contain three different medicines: abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine.

For more information on the use of Triumeq or Triumeq PD in people with HIV, please refer to the Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents with HIV and the Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Pediatric HIV Infection.

HIV medicines cannot cure HIV/AIDS, but taking HIV medicines every day helps people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. HIV medicines also reduce the risk of HIV transmission. If you are taking HIV medicines, do not cut down on, skip, or stop taking them unless your health care provider tells you to. 

What should I tell my health care provider before taking Triumeq or Triumeq PD?

Before taking Triumeq or Triumeq PD, tell your health care provider:

• If you are allergic to any of the HIV medicines in Triumeq or Triumeq PD (abacavir, dolutegravir, or lamivudine) or any other medicines.
• If you have been tested and know whether you have a particular gene variation called HLA-B*5701.
• If you have or have had liver problems, including hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) or hepatitis C virus infection (HCV).
• If you have kidney problems.
• If you have heart problems; smoke; or have diseases that increase your risk of heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
• If you have any other medical conditions.
• If you drink alcohol or take medicines that contain alcohol.
• If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Talk to your health care provider about the risks and benefits of taking Triumeq during pregnancy. For more information on the use of Triumeq during pregnancy, please refer to the Recommendations for the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs During Pregnancy and Interventions to Reduce Perinatal HIV Transmission in the United States.
• If you are breast/chestfeeding or plan to breast/chestfeed. For people with HIV in the United States, the Guideline recommends speaking with your health care provider to discuss options for feeding your baby. People with suppressed viral load have a less than 1% chance of transmitting HIV to their baby via their own milk.
• If you are using hormone-based birth control (such as pills, implants, or vaginal rings). For more information about using birth control and HIV medicines at the same time, view the HIVinfo HIV and Birth Control infographic.
• About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products (including St. John’s wort) you are taking or plan to take. Triumeq or Triumeq PD may affect the way other medicines or products work, and other medicines or products may affect how Triumeq or Triumeq PD work. Taking Triumeq or Triumeq PD together with certain medicines or products may cause serious, life-threatening side effects.

How should I take Triumeq or Triumeq PD?

Triumeq and Triumeq PD come in the following forms and strengths: 

• Triumeq tablets: 600 mg abacavir, 50 mg dolutegravir, 300 mg lamivudine
• Triumeq PD tablets for oral suspension: 60 mg abacavir, 5 mg dolutegravir, 30 mg lamivudine

Take Triumeq or Triumeq PD according to your health care provider’s instructions. Do not miss a dose of Triumeq or Triumeq PD, and do not change your dose or stop taking Triumeq or Triumeq PD without first talking with your health care provider.

Take Triumeq or Triumeq PD by mouth and with or without food. Do not chew, cut, or crush Triumeq tablets or Triumeq PD tablets for oral suspension.

If you are taking any other medicines or supplements, including antacids; laxatives; other products containing aluminum or magnesium; buffered medicines; iron; or calcium, carefully follow instructions on how to take them with Triumeq or Triumeq PD.

Your child’s healthcare provider will decide whether your child should take Triumeq or Triumeq PD based on your child’s weight.

Triumeq PD tablets for oral suspension should be dispersed in drinking water only. Do not use any other drink or food to prepare the dose. Read the “Instructions for Use” at the end of the Triumeq and Triumeq PD drug label for detailed instructions on how to prepare Triumeq PD tablets for oral suspension.

Triumeq tablets are not the same as Triumeq PD tablets for oral suspension and cannot be substituted for each other. Check to make sure you receive the correct dosage form each time you or your child’s prescription is filled.

If you have taken too much Triumeq or Triumeq PD, contact your health care provider or local poison control center (1-800-222-1222 or online) right away, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

For more information on how to take Triumeq or Triumeq PD, see the FDA drug label.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

If you miss a dose of Triumeq or Triumeq PD, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

What side effects can Triumeq or Triumeq PD cause?

Triumeq or Triumeq PD may cause side effects. Some side effects of Triumeq or Triumeq PD can be serious as noted above. Many side effects from HIV medicines, such as nausea or occasional dizziness, are manageable. See the HIVinfo fact sheet on HIV Medicines and Side Effects for more information.

Other possible side effects of Triumeq or Triumeq PD include:

• Changes in your immune system (called immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome or IRIS). IRIS is a condition that sometimes occurs when the immune system begins to recover after treatment with an HIV medicine. As the immune system gets stronger, it may have an increased response to a previously hidden infection.
• Increased risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction).

Tell your health care provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. 

These are not all the possible side effects of Triumeq and Triumeq PD. To learn more about possible side effects of Triumeq and Triumeq PD, read the drug label or package insert or talk to your health care provider or pharmacist.

You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or online.

How should Triumeq or Triumeq PD be stored?

• Store Triumeq and Triumeq PD at room temperature, 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
• Keep Triumeq and Triumeq PD in the container that it came in and keep the container tightly closed and protected from moisture. If the container has a small packet of drying agent (called a desiccant), do not remove it. The desiccant protects the medicine from moisture.
• Do not use Triumeq or Triumeq PD if the original seal over the container opening is broken or missing.
• Throw away Triumeq or Triumeq PD that is no longer needed or expired (out of date). Follow FDA guidelines on how to safely dispose of unused medicine.  
• Keep Triumeq, Triumeq PD, and all medicines out of reach of children.

Where can I find more information about Triumeq or Triumeq PD?

• For more information on the use of Triumeq or Triumeq PD in people with HIV, please refer to the Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents with HIV and the Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Pediatric HIV Infection.
• This Patient Version drug summary is based on the following FDA label(s): Tablet (film coated), kit. The Medication Guide and Instructions For Use include information for people taking Triumeq or Triumeq PD.
• The American Hospital Formulary Service (AHFS) Patient Medication Information for abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine available from MedlinePlus. 
• Triumeq- and Triumeq PD-related research studies, from ClinicalTrials.gov. (The ClinicalTrials.gov search can be modified so that you can get results that better match your interests. To learn more about the ClinicalTrials.gov search features, please see How to Search.)
• A list of FDA-approved HIV medicines, from HIVinfo.