DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine (a-BAK-a-veer/la-MI-vyoo-deen/zye-DOE-vyoo-deen)
Brand Name: Trizivir

Severe allergic reactions (fever, rash, tiredness, achiness, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, sore throat, difficulty breathing, cough) have been associated with the use of abacavir. Stop using Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine if any of these symptoms occur and talk with your health care provider. Do not restart Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine if symptoms of a severe allergic reaction occur. Severe allergic reactions, including death, have occurred in patients who restart Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine , even if they have no history or unrecognized symptoms of an allergic reaction. Do not stop and restart Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine unless directed to do so by your doctor. Zidovudine has been associated with certain blood disorders (eg, neutropenia, anemia) especially in patients with advanced HIV disease. Muscle disease, high levels of lactic acid in the blood, and severe liver problems that can cause death have also been associated with the use of Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine . Tell your doctor immediately if you have unusual tiredness or weakness, persistent sore throat, fever, rapid breathing, dark urine, or yellowing of the eyes and skin. Severe worsening of hepatitis B has been reported in patients who are infected with both HIV and hepatitis B and have discontinued lamivudine. Liver function should be monitored closely for at least several months after discontinuing lamivudine. The long-term effects of Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine are unknown at this time.

Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine is used for:

Treating HIV infection. Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine is used alone or in combination with other medicines.

Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine is an antiviral combination. It works by blocking HIV from reproducing.

Do NOT use Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine
• you weigh less than 90 pounds
• you have liver problems or the blood disorder lactic acidosis
• you are taking zalcitabine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine :

Some medical conditions may interact with Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have kidney problems, a history of pancreatitis, blood or bone marrow disorders, alcohol dependence, hepatitis B infection, breathing difficulties, nerve disorders, obesity problems, or a weakened immune system
• if you have abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cough, sore throat, fever, fatigue, or a rash
• if you are taking any other medicine for HIV infection

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Bone marrow suppressors (eg, interferon alpha), cytotoxic agents (eg, cyclophosphamide), ganciclovir, probenecid, or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) because they may increase the risk of Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine 's side effects
• Doxorubicin, ribavirin, stavudine, or zalcitabine because the effectiveness of both medicines may be decreased
• Methadone because its effectiveness may be decreased by Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine :

Use Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine refilled.
• Take Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine by mouth with or without food.
• Continue to take Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine .

Important safety information:

• Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine is not a cure for HIV infection. Patients may still get illnesses and infections associated with HIV. Remain under the care of your doctor.
• When your medicine supply is low, get more from your doctor or pharmacist as soon as you can. Do not stop taking Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine , even for a short period of time. If you do, the virus may grow resistant to the medicine and become harder to treat.
• Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine does not stop the spread of HIV to others through blood or sexual contact. Use barrier methods of birth control (eg, condoms) if you have HIV infection. Do not share needles, injection supplies, or items like toothbrushes or razors.
• Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine contains abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Carry an ID card at all times that says you take Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine .
• Changes in body fat (eg, an increased amount of fat in the upper back, neck, breast, and trunk, and loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face) may occur in some patients taking Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine . The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown. Discuss any concerns with your doctor.
• Diabetes patients - Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts and liver function tests, may be performed while you use Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine while you are pregnant. Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine . Mothers infected with HIV should not breast-feed. There is a risk of passing the HIV infection or Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine to the baby.

Possible side effects of Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Abnormal skin sensations; chills; depression; dizziness; general body discomfort; headache; indigestion; joint pain; lack of energy; loss of appetite; muscle pain; sleeplessness; stomach cramps.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (fever; rash; tiredness; achiness; nausea; diarrhea; vomiting; stomach pain; sore throat; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; cough; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); excess eye mucus; exhaustion; fainting; flu-like illness; mouth ulcers; numbness, tingling, or pain in hands and feet; seizures; severe dizziness; severe muscle, stomach, or chest pain or cramping; unusual weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; drowsiness; nausea; seizures; tiredness; vomiting.

Proper storage of Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine :

Store Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.