What is abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine (Trizivir)?
Abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine are antiviral medications that prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.
The combination of abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medication is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine (Trizivir)?
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: fever; rash; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain; general ill feeling, extreme tiredness, body aches; shortness of breath, cough, sore throat.
Once you have had an allergic reaction to this medication, you must never use it again.
Some people develop lactic acidosis while taking Trizivir. Early symptoms may get worse over time and this condition can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, fast or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.
This medication can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms while taking Trizivir: pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking Trizivir, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using the medication. Visit your doctor regularly.
Do not allow your medicine to run out completely before you get your prescription refilled. It is important that you not stop taking Trizivir once you have started. If you miss several doses, you may have a dangerous or even fatal allergic reaction once you start taking the medication again. If you stop taking Trizivir for any reason, talk to your doctor before you start taking it again.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking this medication?
Do not take this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Trizivir or any medicine that contains abacavir, lamivudine, or zidovudine, including: Combivir, Epivir, Epzicom, Retrovir, or Ziagen. Once you have had an allergic reaction to abacavir, you must never use it again.
Some people develop a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking Trizivir. You may be more likely to develop lactic acidosis if you are overweight or have liver disease, if you are a woman, or if you have taken HIV or AIDS medications for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.
This medication can also cause severe or life-threatening effects on your liver. You should not take this medication if you have liver disease, especially hepatitis B or C.
Do not take Trizivir with any of the following HIV medications: Atripla, Combivir, Complera, Emtriva, Epivir, Epzicom, Retrovir, Truvada, Zerit, or Ziagen.
To make sure you can safely take Trizivir, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
bone marrow suppression;
kidney disease;
heart disease or high blood pressure;
a risk factor for heart disease such as smoking, diabetes, or high cholesterol; or
if you have used an HIV medication in the past, such as abacavir (Ziagen), didanosine (Videx), emtricitabine (Atripla, Complera, Emtriva, Truvada), lamivudine (Combivir, Epivir, Epzicom), stavudine (Zerit), tenofovir (Viread), zalcitabine (Hivid), or zidovudine (Retrovir).
You may need a blood test before you start taking Trizivir for the first time, or if you are restarting the medication after stopping for reasons not related to an allergic reaction.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.
Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.
Trizivir should not be used to treat HIV in adolescents weighing less than 90 pounds.