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Ziagen

Generic Name: Abacavir (abacavir) [A-BAK-a-veer]
Drug Class: Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

What is Ziagen?

Ziagen can be described as an antiviral medication that prevents the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying within your body.

Ziagen is a treatment for HIV, which is a virus that can trigger acquired immunodeficiency disorder (AIDS). Ziagen is intended for children and adults who are three months of age or older. It is not an effective treatment for HIV or AIDS.

Ziagen can also be used for other purposes that are not mentioned in this guide.

Side effects of Ziagen

Stop taking Ziagen and consult your physician immediately. If you are experiencing indications of an allergy to at least two of the adverse reaction groups:

  • Group 1 febrile;
  • Group: the rash;
  • Group 3: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain;
  • The 4th group is generally depressed, with severe fatigue and body aches.
  • Group 5: Breathlessness, cough, sore throat

After you've experienced a reaction to Ziagen, it is not recommended to take it again. If you stop taking this medication for any reason, talk with your physician before you begin using it again.

Ziagen may cause dangerous side effects that do not indicate an allergic reaction. Call your doctor immediately if you notice:

  • Extreme stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite;
  • Swelling around your midsection;
  • Dark urine, stools that are colored with clay, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin);
  • Unusual fatigue and excessive tiredness
  • Chest discomfort or pressure, radiating into your shoulder or jaw.

The symptoms of mild lactic acidosis can get worse as time passes, and the condition could be fatal. Take immediate medical assistance when you experience unusual muscle pain and breathing difficulties. Nausea, stomach pain, and irregular heart rate; feeling cold; or feeling extremely fatigued or weak.

Ziagen alters the immune system and can cause a variety of adverse reactions (even months or even weeks after taking this medication). Consult your physician when you experience:

  • Symptoms of a new signs of a new fever: night sweats, glands that are swollen, cold sores, cough, wheeze, or diarrhea; losing weight;
  • Difficulty swallowing or speaking; difficulties with balance, eye movement, and prickly or weak feelings; problems swallowing or speaking;
  • Swelling in your throat or neck (enlarged thyroid), menstrual cycles, impotence

Common negative side effects of Ziagen could include:

  • Fatigue;
  • Sleep problems, strange dreams;
  • Headache, fatigue, chills, fever, and a general feeling of ill-health;
  • Nausea or vomiting;
  • The rash
  • (in children) Sneezing, stuffy nose (in children) sore throat (in children), earache, stuffy nose

It isn't a complete listing of all negative side negative effects. There are other possibilities for this to happen. Talk to your doctor for medical advice about the effect. If you have any concerns, report the allergic reactions or symptoms to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

You shouldn't take Ziagen. If you've ever experienced allergies to medication that contains Ziagen, if you suffer from moderate to serious liver diseases, or if you have a genetic variant known as the HLA-B*5701 allele,

Do not use Ziagen and consult your physician immediately if you notice symptoms that indicate an allergy, such as fever, an itch, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, and general discomfort, such as severe fatigue and body aches, shortness of breath, and cough. Also a sore throat.

It is possible to suffer from the condition known as lactic acidosis. It is a serious buildup of lactic acid within your blood. Consult your doctor or seek urgent medical assistance in the event of strange muscle pains, difficulty breathing, dizziness, stomach pain, feeling cold, or feeling tired or weak.

Ziagen could also have dangerous or life-threatening problems for the liver. Call your doctor immediately if you notice swelling or pain in your stomach area, fatigue, lack of appetite, dark urine, a stool that is clay-colored, or jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Before you take this drug

Ziagen should not be used. Ziagen If:

  • You have severe or moderate liver disease.
  • You have a genetic variation known as the HLA-B*5701 variant (your doctor will check to determine this), either
  • You've experienced an allergy reaction to a medication that has Ziagen (such as Ziagen, Epzicom, Triumeq, or Trizivir).

A variety of combinations of HIV medications contain Ziagen as a component. Ziagen is not recommended to be used in conjunction with other medicines that contain this medication.

It is possible to be diagnosed with the condition known as lactic acidosis. It's an extremely dangerous accumulation of lactic acid in your blood. It's more likely if you suffer from other medical issues, if you've used HIV medications for a long duration, or if you are a female. Discuss with your physician your risk.

Speak to your doctor if you are ever diagnosed with:

  • The heart condition, high blood pressure;
  • Risk factors for heart disease, for example, the habit of smoking, diabetes, and excessive cholesterol;
  • Liver disease liver disease
  • If you've taken any other HIV medications before.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, and make sure you use the correct medications to manage your infection. HIV can be passed on to your child if the virus is not managed during pregnancy. Your name could be included on a registry in order to monitor the effects of antiviral medications on your baby.

Women suffering from HIV or AIDS are not allowed to give birth to a baby. Even if your child is born without HIV or AIDS, the virus could be passed on to the child by the milk you give your baby.

How to take Ziagen?

Follow the directions on the prescription label and review all medication guides and instructions. Follow the medication precisely as directed.Ziagen includes the medication guide and a warning card that lists the signs that indicate reactions to an allergen. Check out this article and discover the signs to look out for. Keep your wallet card on you at all times.

Ziagen dosages are based on the weight of children and/or teens. Your child's dosage requirements could be altered if the child gains or loses weight.Ziagen is a medicine that can be consumed either with or without food.Make sure to measure the liquid medicine with care. Use the dosing needle provided or a dosage-measuring device (not the kitchen spoon).

You'll need to undergo frequent medical examinations.Utilize all HIV medications according to the directions and follow the medication guidelines you are given. Do not alter your dosage or schedule of dosing without your doctor's guidance. Everyone suffering from HIV must remain under the supervision of a physician.Place it in a cool, dry place free of heat and moisture.You can keep your oral solutions (liquid) inside the refrigerator, but don't let them cool down.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Do not take the medicine for as long as you are able, but do not take your missed dose if you are nearing the time to take the next dose. Don't take two doses at once.

Make sure you refill your prescription before you run out of medication completely. If you skip multiple doses, you could be prone to a serious or deadly allergic reaction if you begin taking Ziagen in the future.

What happens if I overdose?

Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.

What should be avoided?

Beware of drinking alcohol. This can raise the risk of damage to the liver.

It is important to note that taking Ziagen does not stop you from transmitting HIV to others. Be sure to not engage in unprotected sexual sex or share toothbrushes or razors. Discuss with your physician safe methods to avoid HIV transmission during sexual contact. Sharing needles for medicine or drugs is not safe, even for healthy people.

Interaction with other drugs

Discuss with your doctor your other medications, including:

  • Riociguat;
  • Methadone
  • Other HIV medications

This list isn't exhaustive. Other drugs can interact with Ziagen, including medications that are prescribed and available over the counter, vitamins, and herbal products. There are many possible interactions between drugs that are included here.