Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Ziagen.
Heart Attack: Ziagen may increase your risk of heart attack. If you have heart problems, smoke, have high blood pressure or have Diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Ziagen may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ziagen, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Hepatitis B: If you have hepatitis B, your condition may worsen or recur if you stop taking Ziagen. Do not stop taking Ziagen unless recommended by your doctor. If your doctor recommends that you stop taking Ziagen, they will monitor you for several months after stopping treatment.
Hypersensitivity reactions: Ziagen can cause serious and sometimes fatal, hypersensitivity reactions. If you experience any of the following sets of symptoms, stop taking Ziagen and contact your doctor immediately:
- fever
- headache
- rash
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain
- severe tiredness, achiness, or generally feeling ill
- sore throat, shortness of breath, or cough
These reactions usually occur within 6 weeks of starting Ziagen, but may occur at any time. If you have previously had an allergic reaction to abacavir or a medication that contains abacavir, you should not take Ziagen.
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome: Ziagen may cause immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, where signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections appear. These symptoms occur soon after starting anti-HIV medication and can vary. They are thought to occur as a result of the immune system improving and being able to fight infections that have been present without symptoms (such as pneumonia, herpes, or Tuberculosis). Report any new symptoms to your doctor as soon as possible.
Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause lamivudine to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how Ziagen may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ziagen, and whether any special monitoring is needed. People with severely reduced kidney function should not take Ziagen.
Lactic acidosis and enlarged fatty liver: Lamivudine can cause a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis (build-up of lactic acid in the blood) together with an enlarged liver. This tends to occur more often in women, especially if they are overweight. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- abdominal pain, swelling, or bloating
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- feeling unwell
- nausea
- shortness of breath
- vomiting
- weakness
- weight loss
Your doctor will monitor your liver function periodically by ordering laboratory tests.
Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause abacavir to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced liver function or liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Ziagen may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ziagen, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): Abacavir - lamivudine may cause or worsen pancreatitis. If you have a history of or are at risk for developing pancreatitis, you should be closely monitored by your doctor while taking Ziagen. If you develop signs of pancreatitis (e.g., upper left abdominal pain, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen), contact your doctor.
Red blood cells: Pure red cell aplasia is a rare bone marrow disorder in which there is a reduction in red blood cells produced by the bone marrow. Symptoms include pallor, weakness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and decreased blood pressure. If you experience any of these symptoms contact your doctor immediately.
Stopping the medication: If you stop taking Ziagen, your HIV infection could get worse. Take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor, and do not stop taking the medication without checking with your doctor first.
Pregnancy: Ziagen should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Ziagen, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: Lamivudine and abacavir pass into breast milk. Women who have HIV infection are cautioned against breast-feeding because of the risk of passing HIV to a baby who does not have the infection.
Children: Ziagen may be used by children less than 18 years of age who weigh more than 25 kg. Although both abacavir and lamivudine have been used to treat HIV for children, the doses of the ingredients in Ziagen cannot be adjusted and may not be appropriate for people who weigh less than 25 kg.
Seniors: People over the age of 65 years may be more at risk of side effects from Ziagen.
