GENERIC NAME: abacavir, lamivudine, zidovudine

BRAND NAME: Trizivir

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Trizivir is a combination oral medication that is used for treating infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Trizivir contains abacavir (Ziagen), lamivudine (Epivir) and zidovudine (Retrovir), which are three different anti-HIV drugs with different mechanisms of action. Anti-HIV drugs are often used in combination to increase HIV suppression and to reduce the chance of the HIV virus developing resistance to any single drug. Combining these three drugs into one pill reduces the number of individual medications that a patient has to take, which makes it easier for patients to comply with therapy. Administration of one tablet of Trizivir is equal to giving 300 mg of abacavir, 150 mg of lamivudine and 300 mg of zidovudine together. Trizivir does not reduce the transmission of HIV among individuals, and it does not cure HIV or AIDS. Trizivir was approved by the FDA in November, 2000.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: No

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 300 mg abacavir/150 mg lamivudine/300 mg zidovudine

STORAGE: Store capsules and powder at room temperature, 15-30°C (59-86°F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Trizivir is used alone or in combination with other anti-HIV drugs for the treatment of HIV infection.

DOSING: The recommended dose for adults is one tablet twice daily.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Trizivir has the same drug interactions as its component drugs, abacavir, lamivudine and zidovudine.

PREGNANCY: Trizivir has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant women.

NURSING MOTHERS: Use of Trizivir by nursing women has not been adequately studied. Nevertheless, HIV-infected mothers should not breast-feed because of the potential risk of transmitting HIV to an infant that is not infected.

SIDE EFFECTS: Trizivir causes the same side effect as its component drugs, abacavir, lamivudine and zidovudine. The most common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss and difficulty sleeping.

Serious and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions involving several organs have been associated with abacavir, a compnent of Trizivir.  Symptoms include fever, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, aches, shortness of breath, couth, and sore throat.  Patients should discontinue Trizivir if a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected.  Patients who carry a certain genetic marker called HLA-B 5701 are at high risk for experiencing a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir.  Screening for the HLA-B 5701 allele is recommended prior to initiating therapy with abacavir.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information