Ziagen Oral
In Depth
- Uses and How to Use
- Dosage and Storage
- Precautions and Side Effects
- Drug Interactions
- Drug Images
Pronounced: (a-BAK-a-vir)
Ziagen Oral Uses
This drug is used in combination with other medications to help control your HIV infection, thereby improving your quality of life. It also lowers your risk of getting HIV disease complications (e.g., new infections, cancers). Abacavir belongs to a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors-NRTI.
Abacavir is not a cure for HIV infection and it does not prevent the spread of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination (e.g., sharing used needles).
How To Use Ziagen Oral
Read the Medication Guide and warning card provided by your pharmacist before you start using abacavir and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 2 times daily or as directed by your doctor.
Dosage is based on your age, weight, medical condition, and response to therapy.
It is very important to continue taking this medication (and other anti-HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.
Do not take more or less of this drug 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. If HIV becomes resistant to abacavir, it might also be resistant to other HIV medications.
