Drug & supplement interaction

Nickel + Abacavir, Lamivudine

Abacavir, Lamivudine brand name: Epzicom.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Nickel and Abacavir, Lamivudine in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Nickel and Abacavir, Lamivudine

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Abacavir, Lamivudine and Nickel in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Nickel safety at a glance

Nickel overall Use caution Nickel is a common allergen and can be toxic at higher doses, so supplements are generally not recommended.
Pregnancy Likely Safe When used orally and appropriately. Nickel is safe to use during pregnancy and lactation in doses below the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 1 mg daily. The... Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Likely Safe When used orally and appropriately. Nickel is safe to use during pregnancy and lactation in doses below the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 1 mg daily. The... Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Abacavir, Lamivudine and Nickel? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Abacavir, Lamivudine

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Abacavir, Lamivudine is filed under 3 classifications — nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (nrtis), hepatotoxic drugs, oral drugs. Nickel has documented interactions with 1 drug class — the most serious being disulfiram (antabuse) (moderate) — and none of Abacavir, Lamivudine’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Nickel Does Interact With Other Medications

Nickel has 1 moderate known drug interaction in our database — Abacavir, Lamivudine isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Nickel

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Nickel. Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Nickel and Abacavir, Lamivudine May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do. 6 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Wheezing Worth acting on Additional detail

    Nickel

    “Inhalation of nickel carbonyl has been reported to cause nickel toxicity, including pulmonary edema, acute tracheobronchitis, or diffuse interstitial pneumonitis.

    Occupational exposure to nickel has been reported to cause chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, airway narrowing, asthma, bronchitis, reduced lung function, lung fibrosis, nasal polyposis, perforation of the nasal septum, and cancer of the lungs and nasal sinuses.”

    Nickel · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in acute bronchitis.

    6 sources cited
    1. 16334. Barceloux DG. Nickel. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1999;37:239-58.
    2. 64905. Kelleher, P., Pacheco, K., and Newman, L. S. Inorganic dust pneumonias: the metal-related parenchymal disorders. Environ.Health Perspect. 2000;108 Suppl 4:685-696. PubMed
    3. 61495. Nemery, B. Metal toxicity and the respiratory tract. Eur Respir.J 1990;3(2):202-219. DOI
    4. 65045. Sunderman, F. W., Jr. A review of the metabolism and toxicology of nickel. Ann.Clin.Lab Sci. 1977;7(5):377-398.
    5. 64933. Leikauf, G. D. Hazardous air pollutants and asthma. Environ.Health Perspect. 2002;110 Suppl 4:505-526. PubMed
    6. 65077. Ruegger, M. [Lung disorders due to metals]. Schweiz.Med.Wochenschr. 3-11-1995;125(10):467-474.

    Abacavir, Lamivudine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Abacavir, Lamivudine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Kidney problems Worth acting on Additional detail

    Nickel

    “Orally, nickel has been reported to cause nephrotoxicity, especially when consumed in excessive amounts.”

    Nickel · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in drug-induced kidney damage.

    3 sources cited
    1. 16333. Denkhaus E, Salnikow K. Nickel essentiality, toxicity, and carcinogenicity. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2002;42:35-56. PubMed
    2. 65009. Das, K. K., Das, S. N., and Dhundasi, S. A. Nickel, its adverse health effects & oxidative stress. Indian J.Med.Res. 2008;128(4):412-425.
    3. 65104. Savolainen, H. Biochemical and clinical aspects of nickel toxicity. Rev.Environ.Health 1996;11(4):167-173. PubMed

    Abacavir, Lamivudine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Abacavir, Lamivudine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Shortness of breath Worth acting on Additional detail

    Nickel

    “Orally and topically, nickel can cause hypersensitivity reactions in sensitized individuals. Nickel sensitivity, which can cause dermatologic and gastrointestinal symptoms, has an estimated prevalence of 11% in the general population, with a higher overall incidence in females than in males. About 10% of nickel-sensitive people react to ingestion of 550-1300 mcg.”

    Nickel · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

    6 sources cited
    1. 64916. Ring, J., Brockow, K., and Behrendt, H. Adverse reactions to foods. J.Chromatogr.B Biomed.Sci.Appl. 5-25-2001;756(1-2):3-10. PubMed
    2. 65017. Nijhawan, R. I., Molenda, M., Zirwas, M. J., and Jacob, S. E. Systemic contact dermatitis. Dermatol.Clin. 2009;27(3):355-64, vii. PubMed
    3. 65045. Sunderman, F. W., Jr. A review of the metabolism and toxicology of nickel. Ann.Clin.Lab Sci. 1977;7(5):377-398.
    4. 99668. Alinaghi F, Bennike NH, Egeberg A, Thyssen JP, Johansen JD. Prevalence of contact allergy in the general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Contact Dermatitis. 2019 Feb;80(2):77-85. PubMed
    5. 64994. Thyssen, J. P., Linneberg, A., Menne, T., and Johansen, J. D. The epidemiology of contact allergy in the general population--prevalence and main findings. Contact Dermatitis 2007;57(5):287-299. PubMed
    6. 99663. Di Gioacchino M, Ricciardi L, De Pità O, et al. Nickel oral hyposensitization in patients with systemic nickel allergy syndrome. Ann Med. 2014 Feb;46(1):31-7. Epub 2013 Nov 21. PubMed

    “Particulate matter-associated nickel exposures have been associated with cardiopulmonary diseases. Nickel exposure may also cause variable degrees of cardiovascular system poisoning. In one case report, a 45-year-old male developed leukocytosis, low-grade fevers, dyspnea, and fatigue after implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).”

    Nickel · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in fatigue.

    3 sources cited
    1. 65021. Zhang, Z., Chau, P. Y., Lai, H. K., and Wong, C. M. A review of effects of particulate matter-associated nickel and vanadium species on cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Int.J.Environ.Health Res. 2009;19(3):175-185. PubMed
    2. 16333. Denkhaus E, Salnikow K. Nickel essentiality, toxicity, and carcinogenicity. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2002;42:35-56. PubMed
    3. 99670. Fung E, Fong MW, Correa AJ, Yoon AJ, Grazette LP. Fulminant eosinophilic myocarditis following ICD implantation in a patient with undisclosed nickel allergy. Int J Cardiol. 2016 Jan 15;203:1018-9. PubMed

    Abacavir, Lamivudine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Abacavir, Lamivudine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • A severe allergic reaction / Hives Worth acting on Additional detail

    Nickel

    Recorded for Nickel in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Shortness of breath above.

    Abacavir, Lamivudine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Abacavir, Lamivudine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • An allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail

    Nickel

    “Orally and topically, nickel can cause dermatitis and other hypersensitivity reactions in sensitized individuals. Nickel exposure may cause systemic contact dermatitis. Orally, nickel sulfate has been associated with classic systemic allergic contact eczema. Topical exposure can occur from the use of common equipment containing nickel.”

    Nickel · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

    6 sources cited
    1. 65045. Sunderman, F. W., Jr. A review of the metabolism and toxicology of nickel. Ann.Clin.Lab Sci. 1977;7(5):377-398.
    2. 65017. Nijhawan, R. I., Molenda, M., Zirwas, M. J., and Jacob, S. E. Systemic contact dermatitis. Dermatol.Clin. 2009;27(3):355-64, vii. PubMed
    3. 64916. Ring, J., Brockow, K., and Behrendt, H. Adverse reactions to foods. J.Chromatogr.B Biomed.Sci.Appl. 5-25-2001;756(1-2):3-10. PubMed
    4. 99665. Maridet C, Atge B, Amici JM, Taïeb A, Milpied B. The electronic cigarette: the new source of nickel contact allergy of the 21st century? Contact Dermatitis. 2015 Jul;73(1):49-50. Epub 2015 Mar 20. PubMed
    5. 99669. Shim TN, Kosztyuova T. Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Electronic Cigarette. Dermatitis. 2018 Mar/Apr;29(2):94-95. PubMed
    6. 99671. Ledon JA, Tosti A. CrossFit-Associated Allergic Contact Dermatitis. Dermatitis. 2017 Nov/Dec;28(6):368. PubMed

    Abacavir, Lamivudine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Abacavir, Lamivudine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Swelling Additional detail

    Nickel

    Recorded for Nickel in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Wheezing above.

    Abacavir, Lamivudine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Abacavir, Lamivudine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Stomach pain / Diarrhea Additional detail

    Nickel

    “Orally, consuming high doses of nickel 0.5-2.5 grams has been reported to cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Patients with systemic nickel allergy syndrome (SNAS) can experience colic and diarrhea after consumption of nickel-rich foods.”

    Nickel · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

    1 source cited
    1. 99663. Di Gioacchino M, Ricciardi L, De Pità O, et al. Nickel oral hyposensitization in patients with systemic nickel allergy syndrome. Ann Med. 2014 Feb;46(1):31-7. Epub 2013 Nov 21. PubMed

    Abacavir, Lamivudine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Abacavir, Lamivudine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Tiredness Additional detail

    Nickel

    Recorded for Nickel in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Shortness of breath above.

    Abacavir, Lamivudine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Abacavir, Lamivudine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Showing the 10 most notable of 13 shared effects — ranked by how unusual each one is, not just whether both lists mention it.

Reported for Nickel but not commonly for Abacavir, Lamivudine: a stuffy or runny nose and bone thinning.

Effects for Abacavir, Lamivudine come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Nickel come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Nickel in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy And Lactation Likely Safe

When used orally and appropriately. Nickel is safe to use during pregnancy and lactation in doses below the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 1 mg daily. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of nickel when taken in doses above the UL during pregnancy and lactation.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Abacavir, Lamivudine

This page covers Nickel only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Abacavir, Lamivudine page lists 56 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Beer (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Wine (major) and Ashwagandha (moderate).

By severity: 4 major · 43 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Abacavir, Lamivudine page

“Most of the 56 supplement interactions on file for abacavir and lamivudine (Epzicom) point at one organ, the liver. This HIV combination already carries liver considerations of its own, so the 38 ingredients that can stress the liver deserve real attention rather than a passing glance.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Abacavir, Lamivudine interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Nickel as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 685 real supplement products containing Nickel, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Nickel. Even though Nickel itself has no known interaction with Abacavir, Lamivudine, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Nickel and Abacavir, Lamivudine Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Nickel
Top 25%

#271 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Abacavir, Lamivudine
Steady interest

#2,370 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Nickel reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Nickel and Abacavir, Lamivudine records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Nickel

What is Nickel?

  • General trace-mineral supplementation
  • Supporting iron and other nutrient metabolism (theoretical)
  • Marketed for bone or hormone support

Nickel is a trace element found in tiny amounts in many foods, and most people get plenty through diet. There is no proven need for nickel supplements, and because nickel is a common cause of allergic reactions and can be toxic in higher amounts, most people should not take it. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using any nickel-containing supplement.

Trace mineral (metallic element) · Tablets, capsules, and as part of some multivitamin or trace-mineral supplements (often as nickel sulfate or nickel chloride)

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Nickel is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Nickel record says about it on its own.

Nickel: dosing

There is no established recommended supplement dose of nickel, because a clear human requirement has not been proven and most people get enough from food. Health authorities have set upper limits to help avoid harmful exposure, but this does not mean people need to take supplements to reach any amount.If a product contains nickel, follow the label and do not take more than directed.

From our Nickel monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Nickel monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Nickel

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Nickel — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
1Moderate
0Minor
2,828No known interaction
Moderate

1 interaction

No interaction 2,828 drugs checked — show the list
Evidence & sources

Nickel References

The 76 references that drive our Nickel monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2002.
  2. Sharma AD. Disulfiram and low nickel diet in the management of hand eczema: a clinical study. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2006;72:113-8. PubMed
  3. Denkhaus E, Salnikow K. Nickel essentiality, toxicity, and carcinogenicity. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2002;42:35-56. PubMed
  4. Barceloux DG. Nickel. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1999;37:239-58.
  5. Sunderman, F. W., Jr. Nasal toxicity, carcinogenicity, and olfactory uptake of metals. Ann.Clin.Lab Sci 2001;31(1):3-24.
  6. Hayes, R. B. The carcinogenicity of metals in humans. Cancer Causes Control 1997;8(3):371-385. PubMed
  7. Nemery, B. Metal toxicity and the respiratory tract. Eur Respir.J 1990;3(2):202-219. DOI
  8. Andersen, A., Barlow, L., Engeland, A., Kjaerheim, K., Lynge, E., and Pukkala, E. Work-related cancer in the Nordic countries. Scand.J.Work Environ.Health 1999;25 Suppl 2:1-116.
  9. Haber, L. T., Erdreicht, L., Diamond, G. L., Maier, A. M., Ratney, R., Zhao, Q., and Dourson, M. L. Hazard identification and dose response of inhaled nickel-soluble salts. Regul.Toxicol.Pharmacol. 2000;31(2 Pt 1):210-230. PubMed
  10. Kelleher, P., Pacheco, K., and Newman, L. S. Inorganic dust pneumonias: the metal-related parenchymal disorders. Environ.Health Perspect. 2000;108 Suppl 4:685-696. PubMed
  11. Seilkop, S. K. Occupational exposures and pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis. Occup.Environ.Med. 2001;58(1):63-64. PubMed
  12. Williams, M. D. and Sandler, A. B. The epidemiology of lung cancer. Cancer Treat.Res. 2001;105:31-52. PubMed
  13. Laffargue, P., Hildebrand, H. F., Lecomte-Houcke, M., Biehl, V., Breme, J., and Decoulx, J. [Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of bone 20 years after femoral fracture treated by plate-screw fixation: analysis of corrosion products and their role in malignan
  14. Ring, J., Brockow, K., and Behrendt, H. Adverse reactions to foods. J.Chromatogr.B Biomed.Sci.Appl. 5-25-2001;756(1-2):3-10. PubMed
  15. Egedahl, R., Carpenter, M., and Lundell, D. Mortality experience among employees at a hydrometallurgical nickel refinery and fertiliser complex in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta (1954-95). Occup.Environ.Med. 2001;58(11):711-715. PubMed

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Nickel and Abacavir, Lamivudine Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Nickel with Abacavir, Lamivudine?
We do not list a known interaction between Nickel and Abacavir, Lamivudine. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Nickel and Abacavir, Lamivudine have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 10 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
How was the Nickel and Abacavir, Lamivudine combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Abacavir, Lamivudine is filed under 3 classifications, and Nickel has documented interactions with 1 drug class — none of Abacavir, Lamivudine's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.
Does Nickel interact with any other medications?
Yes. Nickel has 1 documented drug interaction in our database — Abacavir, Lamivudine is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.
Does Abacavir, Lamivudine interact with any supplements?
Yes. Abacavir, Lamivudine has documented interactions with 56 supplements in our database — Nickel is not one of them. The Abacavir, Lamivudine interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Abacavir, Lamivudine and Nickel?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.