I am a moderate drinker (1-2 drinks per day) and just started on a regimen of Epzicom and GSK-572, an experimental integrase inhibitor. I have read some things about the interaction with the Abacavir in Epzicom with alcohol, and that this might cause unwanted side effects. From your experience, do I have to completely cut out drinking from my life? I enjoy a glass or two of wine with dinner and a couple of beers from time to time with friends. I haven't had a drink since I've started the meds (only 2 days ago), but I'd like to be able to have a drink or two once in a while without any worries. If drinking is OK, is there a timing that will lessen the side effects, like not drinking a certain amount of time before or taking my meds?

My suggestion is to abstain from alcohol for the short term, given you are on experimental medication. It is important for investigators to know what toxicity the investigational drugs are creating without having other outside variables in play they need to account for. In general, I don't have issues with moderate alcohol consumption, unless patients have hepatitis C virus infection, or other inflammatory liver problems, or are on several medications (HIV or other meds) that can cause liver problems themselves.