If you have HIV, your doctor may prescribe Triumeq (abacavir/dolutegravir/lamivudine). It’s a prescription drug used to treat HIV in adults and certain children.

This drug also comes in a version called Triumeq PD that’s used to treat HIV in certain children who may not be prescribed Triumeq.

Triumeq comes as a tablet that you swallow. Triumeq PD comes as a tablet that you mix with water to make a liquid solution that a child swallows. Both medications contain three active drugs that work to treat HIV: abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine. This combination of drugs isn’t currently available as a generic.

If you or your child has HIV that’s resistant (not responding) to certain medications, your doctor won’t prescribe Triumeq or Triumeq PD. To learn more, see “What is Triumeq used for?” below.

In this article, we discuss important information about Triumeq, including its side effects, uses, and more. Many of these aspects of Triumeq also apply to Triumeq PD. We discuss major differences between the two medications below.

Like most drugs, Triumeq may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Triumeq may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Triumeq. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Note: The side effects Triumeq PD may cause are the same as those of Triumeq listed below.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Triumeq can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Triumeq’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Triumeq that have been reported include:

Mild side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Triumeq can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Triumeq, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Triumeq that have been reported include:

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section just below.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Side effect focus

Learn more about some of the side effects Triumeq may cause.

Boxed warnings

Triumeq has boxed warnings for the risks of serious allergic reaction, worsening of existing hepatitis B, and lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus. A boxed warning is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Serious allergic reaction. In rare cases, there have been serious and even life threatening allergic reactions reported in people taking Triumeq. These reactions have also been reported in people taking abacavir, one of Triumeq’s active drugs.*

A severe allergic reaction is more likely during the first 6 weeks of Triumeq treatment. But it can occur at any time while you’re taking the medication.

Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction to Triumeq can include:

It’s also possible to have a mild allergic reaction to Triumeq or an allergic reaction to dolutegravir (one of Triumeq’s active drugs). See “Allergic reaction” below for details.

Risk of worsening of existing hepatitis B and risk of lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus. If you have HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV), stopping Triumeq may cause new or worsening symptoms of hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by HBV. It’s not known how often worsening of hepatitis B occurred in Triumeq’s studies.

One of Triumeq’s active drugs, lamivudine, is also used to treat hepatitis B. This is why your hepatitis B symptoms may flare up if you stop Triumeq treatment.

In addition, taking Triumeq may cause HBV to become lamivudine-resistant in people who have both HIV and HBV. As a result, their hepatitis B may become harder to treat.

* An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work. Triumeq contains three active drugs.

What might help

Before you begin taking Triumeq, your doctor will have you get a blood test that checks for a gene mutation (change) called HLA*5701. People with this mutation are at higher risk of serious allergic reaction with Triumeq. If you have the HLA*5701 mutation, your doctor will likely not prescribe Triumeq.

If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to abacavir or another ingredient in Triumeq, be sure to tell your doctor. They’ll likely not prescribe Triumeq and will instead recommend a safer treatment for you.

If you’re prescribed Triumeq, your doctor or pharmacist will give you a warning card. This card contains a list of possible symptoms of a serious allergic reaction to Triumeq. You should carry this card with you at all times during Triumeq treatment.

Contact your doctor right away if you think you’re having an allergic reaction to Triumeq. They’ll likely have you stop taking Triumeq, and they can recommend other treatments that may be safer for you.

During Triumeq treatment, you should avoid taking medications that contain any of the three active drugs in Triumeq. These are abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine. Your doctor or pharmacist will help make sure that the medications you take are safe for use together.

Tell your doctor if you have HBV before you start taking Triumeq. If you need to stop taking Triumeq, they’ll monitor your HBV, and you’ll have blood tests for several months after your last dose. If you have a flare-up of hepatitis B symptoms, your doctor can prescribe treatment.

If you don’t know whether you have HBV, your doctor will likely test you for this virus before Triumeq treatment. If you have HBV, your doctor may recommend treating it before you start taking Triumeq. Or they may recommend a different medication for your HIV.

Lactic acidosis

Lactic acidosis is a very rare but possibly life threatening side effect of Triumeq. This has been reported with abacavir and lamivudine, two of Triumeq’s active drugs.

With lactic acidosis, there’s too much lactic acid in your blood. Symptoms of lactic acidosis can include:

Lactic acidosis can also cause liver problems, which can be fatal in extreme cases.

Certain people may be at higher risk of lactic acidosis with Triumeq. This includes females* and people with obesity. Your doctor can tell you more about your risk of this side effect with Triumeq.

* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

What might help

Contact your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of lactic acidosis. If your symptoms feel life threatening, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

If your doctor confirms lactic acidosis as a side effect from taking Triumeq, they’ll have you stop taking the medication. They can recommend other treatments that may be safer for you.

Heart attack

Taking Triumeq may raise your risk of heart attack.

With a heart attack, the oxygen supply to your heart is decreased, which can cause the heart muscle to die. Symptoms of a heart attack may include:

  • chest pain, which may also spread to your arm, back, jaw, or neck
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • sweating
  • trouble breathing

Heart attack has been reported, though rarely, in studies of abacavir, one of Triumeq’s active drugs. Other studies haven’t confirmed this side effect with abacavir. But since Triumeq contains abacavir, it’s possible that taking the medication could cause this side effect.

What might help

Call 911 or go to the closest emergency room if you think you’re having a heart attack. It’s a life threatening emergency that requires immediate treatment.

Before you begin taking Triumeq, your doctor will review your health history. They’ll look for any factors that may increase your risk of having a heart attack.

If you have a heart attack while taking Triumeq, your doctor will determine whether it’s safe for you to keep taking the medication. If they decide you should stop taking Triumeq, they can recommend other HIV treatments.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Triumeq. These were rare in the drug’s studies.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A serious allergic reaction is possible with Triumeq. In fact, this drug has a boxed warning about serious allergic reaction. (A boxed warning is a serious warning from the FDA.) This is described under “Boxed warnings” just above.

One of Triumeq’s active drugs, dolutegravir, can also cause severe allergic reaction. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to dolutegravir can include:

  • blisters in your mouth
  • muscle aches or joint aches
  • organ problems, including liver damage
  • skin rash, which may include blisters and peeling skin
  • swelling in your face

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Triumeq. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Triumeq is used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 25 kilograms (kg), or about 55 pounds (lb).* HIV-1 is the most common type of HIV.

Triumeq PD is also used to treat HIV-1. For this purpose, it’s prescribed to children who weigh at least 10 kg (about 22 lb) but less than 25 kg.*

HIV is a virus that damages your immune system. Your immune system defends your body against infection. HIV kills certain cells your immune system makes. This makes it harder for your body to defend against infection.

Without treatment, HIV eventually causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in most cases. With AIDS, your immune system is too weak to protect you from infections and other conditions.

Triumeq and Triumeq PD work to stop HIV from growing and spreading. This helps your immune system function better to help prevent infections. Having a lower level of HIV in your blood can also lower your risk of AIDS. See “How does Triumeq work? What’s its half-life?” in “What are some frequently asked questions about Triumeq?” below for details.

Your doctor won’t prescribe Triumeq by itself if your HIV is resistant to certain medications, including any of the active drugs in Triumeq.† (Resistant means that you’ve taken the drug in the past and it didn’t work to reduce your HIV level.) Likewise, your child won’t be prescribed Triumeq PD if they have HIV that is resistant to certain medications.

* One kilogram is about 2.2 lb.
† An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work. Triumeq contains the active drugs abacavir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for Triumeq when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

For Triumeq PD prices, ask your pharmacist or insurance company if you have insurance.

Triumeq and Triumeq PD aren’t currently available as generics. (A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name drug. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.)

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Viiv Healthcare offers a savings card that may help decrease the cost of Triumeq or Triumeq PD. To find out more, go to the company’s website or call 844-588-3288. You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Triumeq or Triumeq PD that’s right for you or your child. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Note: A child with HIV may start taking Triumeq PD, but then due to their growth might need to switch to Triumeq. These drugs cannot be used interchangeably because they’re absorbed differently in the body. Switching from one drug to the other requires a dosage change. Your child’s doctor can tell you more about the dosage changes required when switching from one drug to the other.

Form and strength

The table below gives the forms and strengths of Triumeq and Triumeq PD. The strengths are given in milligrams (mg).

DrugFormStrengths
Triumeqtablet that you swallow• 600 mg of abacavir
• 50 mg of dolutegravir
• 300 mg of lamivudine
Triumeq PDtablet that you mix with water for making a liquid solution that a child swallows• 60 mg of abacavir
• 5 mg of dolutegravir
• 30 mg of lamivudine

Recommended dosage

To treat HIV, you’ll take Triumeq once per day. This dosage of Triumeq is the same for children who are prescribed this drug.

Triumeq PD’s dosage for treating HIV in certain children varies depending on a child’s weight. For more information, see this article.

Questions about Triumeq’s dosage

The dosage questions and answers for Triumeq below also apply to Triumeq PD.

  • What if I miss a dose of Triumeq? If you miss a dose of Triumeq, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose of Triumeq, as this could raise your risk of side effects. This means you should not take two doses at once, and you should not take two doses in the same day.
  • Will I need to use Triumeq long term? If you and your doctor agree that Triumeq is working well for you, you’ll likely take the drug long term.
  • How long does Triumeq take to work? Triumeq starts working as soon as you take a dose. You may not “feel” the drug working. During Triumeq treatment, you’ll have regular blood tests to monitor how well the drug is working for your HIV. In general, it takes 3 to 6 months to lower the level of HIV in your blood until it’s so low that lab tests can’t detect it. Your doctor can tell you how soon Triumeq may start working for you.

Note: The dosage questions and answers for Triumeq above also apply to Triumeq PD.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Triumeq.

Is Triumeq similar to Dovato, Genvoya, Odefsey, Complera, Tivicay, or Juluca?

Triumeq, Triumeq PD, Dovato, Genvoya, Odefsey, Complera, Tivicay, and Juluca are all prescription drugs used to treat HIV. Other than Triumeq and Triumeq PD having the same active drugs, each contains a different active drug or combination of active drugs. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

Different medications are used to treat HIV in certain situations. You and your doctor will decide on the best medication for you. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about other treatments for HIV, including how they compare with Triumeq or Triumeq PD.

Will Triumeq cause hair loss or weight gain?

It’s not known whether hair loss or weight gain are side effects of Triumeq and Triumeq PD.

Hair loss and weight gain weren’t reported in Triumeq and Triumeq PD’s studies. But there have been a few cases of hair loss and weight gain reported since these medications became available.

These side effects were reported outside of studies, so it’s hard to tell whether they were caused by these drugs or another factor. For example, another medication or condition could also have caused hair loss or weight gain.

If you’re concerned about hair loss or weight gain and your HIV treatment plan, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can review your medications and help determine whether any could be causing these side effects. They can also help recommend the best treatment plan for you.

Is Triumeq used for PrEP or ALS treatment?

No, Triumeq and Triumeq D aren’t currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

With PrEP, you take a medication daily to help prevent HIV. Triumeq is used to treat HIV, not prevent it. PrEP is for people who do not have HIV but are at high risk of developing it. Only certain medications are approved for use as PrEP. You can talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more.

ALS is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, resulting in loss of muscle control. The cause of ALS is unknown. But it’s thought that viral infection may be a risk factor for developing this condition, so antiviral medications may slow down progression of ALS.

You can also speak with your doctor if you’re interested in learning more about approved treatments for ALS.

Does Triumeq cause pancreatitis or erectile dysfunction?

It’s not known whether Triumeq and Triumeq PD cause pancreatitis (inflammation of your pancreas). Pancreatitis wasn’t reported in studies of Triumeq and Triumeq PD. But there have been reports of pancreatitis in people taking Triumeq and Triumeq PD since the drug was approved for use.

Pancreatitis has only been reported outside of studies, so it’s not known for sure whether Triumeq or Triumeq PD caused this side effect. For example, another medication or condition could also have caused pancreatitis.

Triumeq and Triumeq PD aren’t thought to cause erectile dysfunction (ED). ED refers to trouble getting or maintaining an erection. ED hasn’t been reported with these medications.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re concerned about ED or pancreatitis and your HIV treatment plan. Your doctor can review your medications and help determine whether any could be causing these side effects. They can also help recommend the best treatment plan for you.

Are there interactions with Triumeq and any foods, such as grapefruit?

No, Triumeq and Triumeq PD aren’t known to interact with any foods, including grapefruit. Some medications can interact with grapefruit, but this doesn’t apply to Triumeq or Triumeq PD.

To learn more about interactions with Triumeq and Triumeq PD, see the “What should be considered before taking Triumeq?” section below. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does Triumeq work? What’s its half-life?

Triumeq and Triumeq PD contain three active drugs that work in slightly different ways to stop HIV from spreading in your body.

Two of these active drugs, abacavir and lamivudine, belong to a group of drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Dolutegravir, Triumeq’s other active drug, belongs to a group of medications called integrase inhibitors. All three drugs work by preventing HIV from reproducing in your blood.

The goal of Triumeq and Triumeq PD treatment is to lower the level of HIV in your blood until it’s so small that lab tests can’t detect it. This should cause you to have fewer symptoms of the virus, such as infections.

Each of the active drugs in Triumeq and Triumeq PD has a different half-life. Half-life refers to the time it takes for half a drug’s dose to leave your system. Specifically:

  • abacavir has a half-life of about 1.5 hours
  • dolutegravir has a half-life of about 14 hours
  • lamivudine has a half-life of about 13 to 19 hours

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to learn more about how Triumeq or Triumeq PD works, including their half-life.

There are important considerations to discuss with your doctor before you begin treatment with Triumeq. These include your overall health and any medical conditions you may have. You should also tell your doctor about all medications you take, including any over-the-counter medications.

Note: The considerations listed for Triumeq in this section also apply to Triumeq PD.

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Triumeq, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Triumeq.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Triumeq can interact with several types of drugs. These drugs include:

This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Triumeq. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with use of Triumeq.

Boxed warnings

Triumeq has the following boxed warnings. These are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Risk of serious allergic reactions. Although rare, there have been severe and even life threatening allergic reactions reported in people taking Triumeq.

Risk of worsening of existing hepatitis B and risk of lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus. In people with HIV and hepatitis B virus, stopping Triumeq may cause existing hepatitis B to suddenly cause new or worsening symptoms. In addition, taking Triumeq may cause HBV to become lamivudine-resistant* in people who have both HIV and HBV. As a result, their hepatitis B may become harder to treat.

See “What are Triumeq’s side effects?” above to learn more about these boxed warnings.

* Lamivudine is one of the active drugs in Triumeq. An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.

Other warnings

Triumeq may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Triumeq. Factors to consider include those in the list below.

  • Diabetes, heart problems, or other risk factors for heart attack. Having diabetes, heart problems, or other risk factors for heart attack may make it unsafe to take Triumeq. This is because the drug may cause heart attack as a side effect. Having these risk factors could further increase your risk of this side effect if you take Triumeq. Your doctor can help determine whether Triumeq is safe for you to take.
  • Mental health conditions, such as depression. People with a history of depression or other mental health conditions may have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors with Triumeq. If you have a mental health condition, tell your doctor. They can recommend whether Triumeq is safe for you to take.
  • Kidney problems. Having kidney problems may make it harder for your body to get rid of Triumeq after you take a dose. This could raise your risk of side effects. Your doctor can help determine whether Triumeq is safe for you to take with your kidney problems.
  • Liver problems. You should not take Triumeq if you have moderate or severe liver problems. If you have mild liver problems, your doctor may or may not recommend Triumeq. Having liver problems makes it harder for your body to get rid of Triumeq after you take a dose. Your doctor can help determine the severity of your liver problems and whether Triumeq is safe for you to take.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Triumeq or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Triumeq. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.

Triumeq and alcohol

Drinking alcohol may raise levels of abacavir in your body. Abacavir is one of the active drugs in Triumeq.

Raising abacavir levels could raise your risk of side effects. It could also make certain side effects worse, including nausea or headache.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe for you to have while you’re taking Triumeq.

Pregnancy

Your doctor will likely recommend that you don’t take Triumeq while pregnant, especially within the first trimester. One of the active drugs in Triumeq, dolutegravir, is known to cause serious brain and spinal problems in a fetus if taken in early pregnancy. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work. Triumeq contains three active drugs.)

If you’re able to become pregnant, your doctor will likely have you take a pregnancy test. This is to make sure you’re not pregnant before you start Triumeq. And, you’ll need to use effective birth control while taking Triumeq.

Males* with a sexual partner who can become pregnant should also use effective birth control while taking Triumeq.

Your doctor can provide you with more information and help determine the right birth control for you. If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor about the HIV treatment plan that’s best for you.

If you do take Triumeq while pregnant, consider enrolling in the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry. A pregnancy registry collects information about the safety of a drug if used during pregnancy. This helps doctors and researchers understand more about a drug’s effects on pregnancy. For more information, visit the registry’s website. You can also call 800-258-4263 or talk with your doctor.

* In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Breastfeeding

If you have HIV, breastfeeding is not recommended. This is because a child may contract HIV through breast milk that contains the virus. Talk with your doctor about safe feeding options for your child.

Like Triumeq and Triumeq PD, Biktarvy is used to treat HIV. Triumeq and Biktarvy may be used in adults and some children. Triumeq PD may be used only in certain children.

These medications each contain more than one active drug. The active drugs in Triumeq and Triumeq PD are abacavir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) The active drugs in Biktarvy are bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide.

Triumeq and Biktarvy both come as tablets that you swallow. Triumeq PD comes as a tablet that you mix with water for making a liquid solution that a child swallows. All of these medications are usually taken once per day.

To learn more about how Triumeq, Triumeq PD, and Biktarvy compare, including details about their uses, see this article. Also, talk with your doctor about the treatment option that’s right for you.

Your doctor will explain how you should take Triumeq. They will also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow their instructions.

If your child is starting Triumeq PD treatment, their doctor will explain how to give your child this medication. The drugmaker also has detailed instructions for how to give this medication.

Taking Triumeq

Triumeq comes as a tablet you swallow once per day. You may take your Triumeq dose at any time of day, but try to take it at about the same time each day.

Triumeq PD comes as a tablet that you mix with water for making a liquid solution that your child swallows. For details on how to give your child their dosage of Triumeq PD, see the drugmaker’s instructions. Your child’s doctor will also instruct you on how to give your child Triumeq PD.

There’s not a single best time to take Triumeq or Triumeq PD. You might want to choose a time of day that helps you remember to take your dose or give your child their dose.

Accessible medication containers and labels

If it’s hard for you to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text into audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Also, if you’re having trouble opening your medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to put Triumeq or Triumeq PD in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist may also recommend tools to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

Questions about taking Triumeq

Can Triumeq or Triumeq PD be chewed, crushed, or split? It’s not known if it’s safe to chew, crush, or split Triumeq. If you have trouble swallowing Triumeq tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. This article also has some tips that might help with swallowing pills.

Triumeq PD tablets should only be dissolved in water according to the drugmaker’s instructions. This solution can then be swallowed

Should Triumeq or Triumeq PD be taken with food? Triumeq and Triumeq PD may be taken with or without food.

Do not take more Triumeq than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects. For the same reason, do not give your child more Triumeq or Triumeq PD than their doctor prescribes.

What to do in case you take too much Triumeq

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Triumeq. Or call your child’s doctor if you think they’ve taken too much Triumeq or Triumeq PD. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if either you or your child have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about treatment with Triumeq or Triumeq PD. Ask questions that help you feel comfortable about the risks and benefits of taking either medication. Some examples to help you get started are:

  • What should I know about alternatives to Triumeq or Triumeq PD?
  • Does Triumeq cause sexual side effects?
  • How will I know if Triumeq PD is working for my child?
  • Do you recommend lab tests while taking Triumeq or Triumeq PD? How often will you order lab tests?

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Q:

I have hepatitis C and HIV. Is it safe for me to take Triumeq?

Anonymous

A:

Possibly, if your doctor tells you it’s safe to do so.

If you have HIV and the hepatitis C virus (HCV), you may have a higher risk of liver problems as a side effect of Triumeq. In rare but serious cases, this may lead to liver failure or the need for a liver transplant.

Before you start treatment with Triumeq, your doctor may give you a blood test to check for HCV. If you have HCV and your doctor tells you it’s safe to take Triumeq, you’ll likely have liver function tests (LFTs) before you start treatment.

LFTs check how well your liver is working. You may continue to have these tests during your Triumeq treatment to make sure that you’re not having liver problems.

The guidance above also applies if your child has both HIV and hepatitis C and may be taking Triumeq or Triumeq PD.

If you have hepatitis C and you’re concerned about the safety of Triumeq, talk with your doctor.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.