Does Triumeq cause hair loss?
Hair loss and thinning of the hair are uncommon side effects of Triumeq that have been reported in post-marketing reports – these are studies done after a drug has been approved. Hair loss/hair thinning was not noted as a side effect of Triumeq in clinical trials and is not documented as a side effect in the product information. The incidence of hair loss/hair thinning with Triumeq is not known.
One review found indinavir and lamivudine to be the most likely medications associated with hair loss in HIV patients. Lamivudine is a component of Triumeq. Most cases presented with hair loss of the scalp alone, which occurred, on average, within 2.5 months of starting the medication. In most cases, the drug was discontinued and in 50% of people the hair at least partially grew back.
If you develop hair loss/hair thinning while taking Triumeq then talk to your doctor about it. It is important to rule out other causes of hair loss such as stress, age, genetics, and other medications.
Triumeq is a fixed-dose combination tablet that contains three antivirals: abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine, which may be used to treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults and children weighing at least 40 kg (88 pounds).
References
- Triumeq (abacavir sulfate, dolutegravir sodium, lamivudine). Updated 03/2021. ViiV Healthcare Company https://www.drugclasses.com/pro/triumeq.html
- Woods EA, Foisy MM. Antiretroviral-Related Alopecia in HIV-Infected Patients. Ann Pharmacother. 2014 Sep;48(9):1187-1193. doi: 10.1177/1060028014540451. Epub 2014 Jun 18. PMID: 24944240.
Read next
Can Triumeq be used for PrEP?
Triumeq (dolutegravir, abacavir and lamivudine) is not approved to be used for HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Triumeq is used to treat (not prevent) HIV-1, the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
The medications FDA-approved for PrEP are the two oral medicinesTruvada (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine) or Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide), and the long-acting intramuscular injection called Apretude (cabotegravir). Continue reading
Does Triumeq cause erectile dysfunction?
Triumeq is unlikely to cause erectile dysfunction (ED), and ED is not listed as a side effect in the product information nor reported in post-marketing data – these are studies done after a drug has been approved. A review concluded that newer HIV combination treatments in use today have no clear-cut association with ED. Older HIV agents, such as zalcitabine (no longer in use) and enfuvirtide (rarely used) were known to cause ED. Using abacavir and raltegravir together had a weak association with ED, but no protease inhibitors appear to increase the risk. Triumeq contains three antivirals: abacavir and lamivudine and dolutegravir. Continue reading
Can Triumeq be crushed or split?
To ensure you receive the entire dose of Triumeq, the manufacturer recommends that ideally the tablet be swallowed whole. If you have trouble swallowing a whole tablet, crushing or splitting tablets may be an acceptable alternative, if approved by your healthcare provider. Do not chew, cut, or crush the Triumeq PD tablets. Continue reading
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Drug information
- Triumeq Information for Consumers
- Triumeq prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Triumeq (detailed)
Related support groups
- Triumeq (10 questions, 20 members)
- Alopecia (60 questions, 136 members)
- HIV Infection (89 questions, 246 members)