Fact Sheet Number 427
- WHAT IS TRIZIVIR?
- WHO SHOULD TAKE TRIZIVIR?
- WHAT ABOUT DRUG RESISTANCE?
- HOW IS TRIZIVIR TAKEN?
- WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?
- HOW DOES TRIZIVIR REACT WITH OTHER
DRUGS?
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PrintTrizivir is a pill that contains three drugs used to fight HIV:
(3TC) and Abacavir (Ziagen).
Trizivir is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.
The drugs in Trizivir are called nucleoside analog reverse
transcriptase inhibitors, or nukes. These drugs block the reverse
transcriptase enzyme. This enzyme changes HIV’s genetic material
(RNA) into the form of DNA. This has to occur before HIV’s genetic
code gets inserted into an infected cell’s own genetic codes.
TRIZIVIR?
Trizivir was approved as an antiviral drug for people with HIV
infection. There are no absolute rules about when to start antiviral
drugs. You and your doctor should consider your
T-cell count, your viral
load, any symptoms you are having, and your attitude about
taking HIV medications. Fact
Sheet 411 has more information about guidelines
for the use of antiviral medications.
If you take Trizivir with other antiviral drugs, you can reduce
your viral load to extremely low levels, and increase your T-cell
counts. This should mean staying healthier longer.
Children under 12 years old and people with kidney problems
should not take Trizivir.
Trizivir provides three drugs in one pill. It can be more convenient
to use Trizivir that some other combinations of drugs. This could
mean fewer missed doses and better control of HIV.
Trizivir can be an effective combination of antiviral medications
in one pill. However, some doctors feel it is less effective for
people with viral loads above 100,000.
RESISTANCE?
Many new copies of HIV are mutations. They are slightly different
from the original virus. Some mutations can keep multiplying even
when you are taking an antiviral drug. When this happens, the
drug will stop working. This is called “developing resistance”
to the drug. See Fact Sheet 414
for more information on resistance.
Sometimes, if your virus develops resistance to one drug, it
will also have resistance to other antiviral drugs. This is called
“cross-resistance”.
Resistance can develop quickly. It is very important to take
antiviral medications according to instructions, on schedule,
and not to skip or reduce doses.
TAKEN?
Trizivir is taken by mouth as a tablet. The normal adult dose
is one tablet, two times a day. Each tablet includes 300 milligrams
(mg) of Retrovir (AZT), 150 mg of Epivir (3TC), and 300 mg of
abacavir.
Trizivir can be taken with food, or between meals.
The dosage of 3TC should be reduced for people who weigh less
than 50 kilograms (110 pounds). People who weigh less than 110
pounds should normally not take Trizivir.
EFFECTS?
When you start any antiviral treatment, you may have temporary
side effects such as headaches, high blood pressure, or a general
sense of feeling ill. These side effects usually get better or
disappear over time.
The most common side effects of Trizivir are the same as with
(3TC), and abacavir (Ziagen).
They include headache, upset stomach, nausea, and fatigue. Fact Sheet 551 has more information
on fatigue.
The most serious side effects of AZT are anemia, granulocytopenia,
and myopathy. Very few people have these side effects. If they
occur, your doctor will probably have you stop using Trizivir.
See Fact Sheet 420 on AZT for more
information on these side effects and Fact
Sheet 552 on anemia.
The most serious side effect of abacavir is a hypersensitivity
reaction. Less than 5% of people who take abacavir have this reaction,
but they have to stop taking abacavir and cannot take it again.
If they do, they will have a serious and possibly fatal reaction.
The reaction usually starts within two weeks of starting abacavir.
Patients had at least two of the following symptoms: fever, rash,
headache, feeling bad, no energy, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
or stomach pain, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat. If
you develop any of these symptoms while taking Trizivir, call
your doctor immediately.
See Fact Sheet 425 for more
information on the abacavir hypersensitivity reaction.
REACT WITH OTHER DRUGS?
Trizivir should not be taken with ddC
(zalcitabine, Hivid®) or with d4T
(stavudine, Zerit®).
Blood levels of 3TC may be increased by bactrim or septra.
See Fact Sheet 535 for more information
on these drugs.
AZT’s side effects may be worse if you are taking several other
drugs. Be sure your doctor knows about all the medications
you are taking.
Revised November 11, 2002
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New Mexico AIDS Education and Training Center
and the New Mexico Department of Health