What is Trizivir?
Trizivir is a prescription medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat HIV infection in adults, adolescents, and children. Trizivir can be used alone as an HIV treatment regimen or in combination with other HIV medications.
Trizivir is a combination of three medications: abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine. Please see the Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents Living with HIV and the Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Pediatric HIV Infection for more information on the use of Trizivir in people living with HIV.
HIV medicines cannot cure HIV/AIDS, but they can help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. HIV medications also reduce the likelihood of HIV transmission. If you are taking HIV medications, do not reduce, skip, or stop taking them unless your doctor tells you to.
What should I tell my doctor before starting Trizivir?
Before taking Trizivir, tell your doctor:
- If you are allergic to any of the HIV medicines in Trizivir (abacavir, lamivudine, or zidovudine), or if you are allergic to any other medicines.
- If you’ve been tested and know whether you have a gene variation known as HLA-B*5701.
- If you have or have ever had liver problems, including hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) or hepatitis C virus infection (HCV).
- If you have kidney issues.
- If you have low blood cell counts, this could indicate bone marrow issues.
- If you have a history of heart problems, smoke, or have diseases that increase your risks of heart diseases, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
- If you have any other medical problems.
- If you are or intend to become pregnant. Discuss the risks and benefits of taking Trizivir during pregnancy with your care.
- If you are currently breastfeeding or intend to start. The Guideline does not recommend breastfeeding for HIV-positive women in the United States. Talk to your doctor about alternative feeding options for your baby before your baby is born, or if you are already breastfeeding.
- If you use a hormone-based birth control method (such as pills, implants, or vaginal rings). Before using birth control and HIV medications at the same time, consult your doctor.
- Regarding any other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, or herbal products you are taking or intend to take. Trizivir may affect the way other medicines or products work, and Trizivir may affect how other medicines or products work. Combining Trizivir with certain medications or products may result in serious, life-threatening side effects.
How should I take Trizivir?
Trizivir is available as a tablet. Each tablet includes:
- 300 mg abacavir
- 150 mg lamivudine
- 300 mg zidovudine
Follow your health care provider’s instructions when taking Trizivir. Do not miss a Trizivir dose, and do not change or discontinue Trizivir without first consulting with your health care provider.
Trizivir should be taken orally, with or without food.
If you have taken too much Trizivir, call your health care provider or a poison control center immediately, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
If you forget to take a Trizivir dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as usual. To make up for a missed dose, do not take two doses at the same time.
What side effects can Trizivir cause?
Trizivir may have unwanted side effects. As previously stated, some Trizivir side effects can be severe. Many of the side effects of HIV medications, such as nausea and dizziness, are tolerable.
Trizivir may also cause the following side effects:
- Immune system modifications (called immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome or IRIS). IRIS is a condition that occurs when the immune system begins to recover following HIV treatment. As the immune system strengthens, it may respond more aggressively to a previously hidden infection.
- Loss of body fat.
- Increased risk of heart attack.
Inform your health care providers if you experience any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
How should Trizivir be stored?
- Store Trizivir at 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
- Keep Trizivir in the container that it came in and keep the container tightly closed.
- Do not use Trizivir if the original seal over the container opening is broken or missing.
- Throw away Trizivir that is no longer needed or expired (out of date).
- Keep Trizivir and all medicines out of reach of children.