What is abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine?
Abacavir-lamivudine-zidovudine is an antiviral medication. It is in a group of human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medicines called reverse transcriptase inhibitors. This medication helps
keep the HIV virus from reproducing in the body.
This medication is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(AIDS). This medication is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
This medication may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide. This
medication should not be given to people who weigh less than 90 pounds.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine?
You should not take this medication if you have liver disease.
Do not
take this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to abacavir. Tell your doctor if you have had
an allergic reaction to any medicine that contains abacavir, such as Epzicom or Ziagen.
Once
you have had an allergic reaction to abacavir, you must never use it again.
You may need a blood test before you start taking this medication for the first time, or if you are
restarting the medication after stopping for reasons not related to an allergic reaction.
Some people have developed a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking
this medicine. You may be more likely to develop lactic acidosis if you are overweight or have liver
disease, or if you have taken certain HIV or AIDS medications for a long time. Talk with your doctor
about your individual risk.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely use this medication:
-
kidney disease;
-
hepatitis B;
-
high blood pressure or heart disease, or a risk factor for
heart disease such as smoking, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is
harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant. HIV
can be passed to the baby if the mother is not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV
medicines as directed to control your infection while you are pregnant.
You should not breast-feed while you are using this medication. Women with HIV or
AIDS should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus
to the baby in your breast milk.
This medication should not be used to treat HIV in adolescents weighing less than 90
pounds.
How should I take abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your
prescription label.
You may take this medication with or without food.
Measure the liquid form of this medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a
regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can
get one.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition,
use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient
instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule
without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a
doctor.
This medicine comes with a Medication Guide and a Warning Card that lists the symptoms
of an allergic reaction. Read this information carefully and carry the Warning Card with you at all times
so you will know what symptoms to watch for.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medication,
even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function at regular visits for
several months after you stop taking abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine. Do not miss any scheduled
appointments.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. You may keep the
oral solution (liquid) in the refrigerator but do not let it freeze.
What happens if I miss a dose of abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Do not allow this medicine to run out completely before you get your prescription refilled. It
is important that you not stop taking the medicine once you have started. If you miss several doses, you
may have a dangerous or even fatal allergic reaction once you start taking the medicine again. If you
stop taking Trizivir for any reason, talk to your doctor before you start taking the medication again.
Where can I get more information about abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine?
Your pharmacist has information about abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine?
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of
these signs of an allergic reaction to abacavir:
-
Group 1 - fever;
-
Group 2 - rash;
-
Group 3 - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
-
Group 4 - general tiredness, body aches;
-
Group 5 - shortness of breath, cough, sore throat.
Once you have had an allergic reaction to abacavir, you
must never use it again.
If you stop taking Trizivir for any reason, talk to your doctor before
you start taking the medication again.
You may have other serious side effects that may not be signs of an allergic reaction. Continue
using this medicine and call your doctor if you have any of these side effects:
-
liver problems -- stomach pain, low fever, lost appetite, dark urine,
clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
-
lactic acidosis - muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold
feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, slow or
uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired;
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, pale skin; or
-
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your
arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and trunk);
-
sleep problems or strange dreams;
-
headache, depression, anxiety; or
-
mild diarrhea.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine?
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 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.
Do not allow this medicine to run out completely before you get your prescription refilled. If
you miss several doses, you could have a dangerous or even fatal allergic reaction when you start taking
the medicine again. If you stop taking this medication for any reason, talk to your doctor before you
start taking the medication again.
Some people have developed a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking
this medicine. Early signs of lactic acidosis generally get worse over time and this condition can be
fatal.
Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms of lactic acidosis,
such as:
muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble
breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, slow or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very
weak or tired.
What should I avoid while taking abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine?
Avoid taking other medications that contain abacavir, lamivudine, or zidovudine, such as
Combivir, Epivir, Epzicom, Trizivir, or Ziagen.
Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes. Taking this
medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe
methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe,
even for a healthy person.
What other drugs will affect abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
methadone (Methadose, Dolophine);
-
ribavirin (Copegus, Rebetron, Virazole);
-
interferon (Rebetron, Roferon, Intron, Alferon, Infergen,
Avonex, Rebif, Betaseron, Actimune);
-
sulfa drugs such as Bactrim or Septra;
-
doxorubicin (Adriamycin);
-
ganciclovir (Cytovene); or
-
these other HIV medicines - emtricitabine (Emtriva,
Truvada), zalcitabine (Hivid), stavudine (Zerit), or zidovudine (Retrovir).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
Trizivir. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine?