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Abacavir-Lamivudine-Zidovudine

Pronounced

"a-BAK-a-vir SUL-fate/la-MIV-ue-deen/zye-DOE-vue-deen"

Common brand names:

Trizivir

Uses

This product contains 3 drugs: abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine. It is used alone or with other HIV medications to help control HIV infection. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body so your immune system can work better. This lowers your chance of getting HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improves your quality of life. Abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine all belong to a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).

Abacavir/lamivudine/zidovudine is not a cure for HIV infection. To decrease your risk of spreading HIV disease to others, continue to take all HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Use an effective barrier method (latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams) during sexual activity as directed by your doctor. Do not share personal items (such as needles/syringes, toothbrushes, and razors) that may have contacted blood or other body fluids. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Medication Guide and Warning Card provided by your pharmacist before you start taking abacavir/lamivudine/zidovudine and each time you get a refill. Carry the Warning Card with you at all times. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily. Take this medication with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs you otherwise.

Because this combination product has fixed doses of abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine, it should only be used if your doctor has determined that the doses of all 3 medications in this product are right for you.

If you stop taking any medication containing abacavir even for a short time and then restart the drug, you have an increased chance of developing a very serious (possibly fatal) allergic reaction. Refill your medication before you run out. Do not stop treatment unless directed by your doctor. Before restarting any medication containing abacavir, consult your doctor or pharmacist, and be sure you have easy access to medical care.

It is very important to continue taking this medication (and other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses. Do not increase your dose, take this drug more often than prescribed, or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.

For the best effect, take this medication at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same times every day.