Trizivir

What is Trizivir

Trizivir tablets are a combination of three medicines: abacavir (Ziagen), lamivudine (Epivir), and zidovudine (Retrovir). Abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine are antiviral medications. They are in a category of HIV medicines called reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine inhibit the reproduction of HIV in your body.

Abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine are used together in Trizivir tablets to treat the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Trizivir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Trizivir may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

General medical information about Trizivir

Trizivir tablets are a combination of three medicines: abacavir (Ziagen), lamivudine (Epivir), and zidovudine (Retrovir).

Do not take Trizivir if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this combination medication or to abacavir (Ziagen), lamivudine (Epivir), or zidovudine (Retrovir) in the past.

Fatal hypersensitivity reactions have been associated with the use of Trizivir. Stop taking Trizivir and seek emergency medical attention if you develop a fever, a skin rash, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, severe tiredness, achiness, general ill feeling, sore throat, shortness of breath, or cough. Your pharmacist will provide you with a card listing the symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction. Carry this card with you and notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of the symptoms listed. If you need to stop taking Trizivir for any reason, do not start taking it again without first talking to your doctor and do not start taking abacavir (Ziagen) without first talking to your doctor. Dangerous, even fatal, allergic reactions have occurred when treatment with Trizivir, or with abacavir (Ziagen) alone, has been restarted, even when no symptoms were present before stopping.

Lactic acidosis and severe liver problems, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of Trizivir. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience generalized fatigue; nausea; vomiting; abdominal pain; sudden, unexplained weight loss; shortness of breath; muscle weakness; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. These may be early symptoms of lactic acidosis or liver problems.

Follow your doctor's instructions with respect to high-risk activities such as unprotected sex and the sharing of needles. Trizivir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS, and you can still transmit the virus to others during treatment with this medication.

What you should find out before taking Trizivir

Do not take Trizivir if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this combination medication or to abacavir (Ziagen), lamivudine (Epivir), or zidovudine (Retrovir) in the past.

Before taking Trizivir, tell your doctor if you
- have kidney disease;
- have liver disease;
- have bone marrow suppression;
- have anemia or other blood problems; or
- weigh less than 40 kg (90 pounds).

You may not be able to take Trizivir, or you may require special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Trizivir is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Trizivir will harm an unborn baby. It is very important to treat HIV/AIDS during pregnancy to reduce the risk of infecting your baby. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

Trizivir passes into breast milk. It is not known

What effect Trizivir may have on a nursing baby. To prevent transmission of the virus to uninfected babies, it is recommended that HIV-positive mothers not breast-feed.

How should take Trizivir

Take Trizivir exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Trizivir can be taken with or without food.

Trizivir is usually taken twice a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Your doctor may want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests while taking Trizivir.

Treatment of HIV/AIDS almost always requires the use of two or more drugs. If you need to stop taking one of the medicines you are taking for HIV, you should contact your doctor to determine if you should start an alternative medication or stop all of them. Do not take an HIV/AIDS medication alone. If you need to stop taking one medication and cannot talk to your doctor, stop taking all of them until you can. If you need to stop taking Trizivir for any reason, do not start taking it again without first talking to your doctor and do not start taking abacavir (Ziagen) without first talking to your doctor. Dangerous, even fatal, allergic reactions have occurred when treatment with Trizivir, or with abacavir (Ziagen) alone, has been restarted, even when no symptoms were present before stopping.

Store Trizivir at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless your doctor directs otherwise.

Do not let your supply of Trizivir run out. The amount of virus in your blood may increase if your anti-HIV medicines are stopped, even for a short time.

What happens if you overdose:

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an Trizivir overdose may include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, and confusion.

Avoid while taking Trizivir

Follow your doctor's instructions with respect to high-risk activities such as unprotected sex and the sharing of needles. Trizivir does not cure HIV or AIDS and you can still transmit the virus to others during therapy with this medication.

Do not take the products abacavir (Ziagen), lamivudine (Epivir), lamivudine-zidovudine (Combivir), or zidovudine (Retrovir) during treatment with Trizivir unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Possible side effects of Trizivir

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Trizivir and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
- peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage), which may cause numbness, tingling, or pain in a part of your body.

Serious blood problems including low levels of red and/or white blood cells have occurred with the use of reverse transcriptase inhibitors that contain zidovudine (Retrovir, Combivir). Contact your doctor immediately if you develop unusual fatigue, pale skin, sore throat, fever, or chills which may be signs of blood problems.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking Trizivir and talk to your doctor if you experience
- mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased appetite;
- headache;
- tiredness;
- muscle or joint pain;
- dizziness; or
- insomnia.

Changes in body fat have been seen in some people. These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck ("buffalo hump"), breast, and around the trunk. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen. The cause and long-term effects of these conditions are not known.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Trizivir