Ziagen

Why should Ziagen not be prescribed?

If the active ingredient abacavir (found in Ziagen and Trizivir) gives you an allergic reaction, you must never take it again. If you've failed to get any benefit from HIV drugs that work the same way as Ziagen (Epivir, Videx, or Hivid), this drug probably won't work for you either. Make sure the doctor knows the results of all the drug treatments you've been given.

You will not be able to use Ziagen if you have moderate-to-severe liver disease.

Special warnings about Ziagen

Be alert for development of a skin rash, severe peeling skin, or two or more of the following sets of symptoms:

• Fever
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain
• Severe tiredness, achiness, or a generally ill feeling
• Sore throat, shortness of breath, or cough

If these symptoms appear, stop taking Ziagen and call your doctor immediately. You may be experiencing a potentially fatal allergic reaction. Once you've had such a reaction, never take Ziagen again. In fact, avoid Ziagen permanently if there's even a possibility that you've had an allergic reaction. Additional doses could trigger a dangerous drop in blood pressure and other life-threatening symptoms.

Keep in mind, too, that a severe and even fatal allergic reaction is possible when you resume taking Ziagen after an interruption in therapy--even if you've never experienced signs of an allergic reaction before. Resume Ziagen therapy only under your doctor's close supervision.

If you are overweight or have been taking HIV drugs similar to Ziagen (Epivir, Videx, or Hivid) for a long period of time, you are more likely to develop liver problems and a complication called lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in the body). If you develop either of these conditions, your doctor will take you off of Ziagen.

Like other HIV drugs, Ziagen sometimes causes a redistribution of body fat, resulting in added weight around the waist, a "buffalo hump" of fat on the upper back, breast enlargement, and wasting of the face, arms, and legs. It's not known why this occurs, or what long-term effects it might have.