Ziagen

Ziagen is used for:

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Treating HIV infection with other medications.

Abacavir is a nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). It works by slowing down the growth of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Do NOT use Ziagen if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Ziagen
• you have had a recent abnormal liver function test or have moderate to severe liver problems

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Ziagen :

Some medical conditions may interact with Ziagen . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding or thinking about breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart attack)
• if you are unusually tired or have a fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, a cough, or a skin rash
• if you have shortness of breath, an allergic reaction, or a sore throat

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Ziagen . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Alcohol because it may increase the risk of Ziagen 's side effects and toxic effects
• Methadone because its effectiveness may be decreased by Ziagen

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Ziagen may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Ziagen :

Use Ziagen as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Ziagen comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Ziagen refilled.
• Ziagen comes with a Warning Card that provides information about recognition of allergic reactions. Carry the Warning Card of allergy symptoms with you. Tell your health care provider immediately about any side effects you experience while taking Ziagen .
• Take Ziagen by mouth with or without food.
• Using Ziagen at the same times each day will help you remember to take it.
• Continue to take Ziagen even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Ziagen , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Ziagen .

Important safety information:

• Talk to your doctor before you take Ziagen if you drink more than 3 drinks with alcohol per day.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Ziagen before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• If you must stop taking Ziagen for any reason other than a serious allergic reaction, do not take Ziagen again without talking with your health care provider. If your health care provider decides that you may take Ziagen again, you should do so only in a setting with other people in case you need immediate access to a doctor.
• When your medicine supply is low, get more from your doctor or pharmacist as soon as you can. Do not stop taking Ziagen , even for a short period of time. If you do, the virus may grow resistant to the medicine and become harder to treat.
• Changes in body fat (eg, an increased amount of fat in the upper back, neck, breast, and trunk, and loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face) may occur in some patients taking Ziagen . The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown. Discuss any concerns with your doctor.
• Ziagen does not stop the spread of HIV to others through blood or sexual contact. Use barrier methods of birth control (eg, condoms) if you have HIV infection. Do not share needles, injection supplies, or items like toothbrushes or razors.
• Ziagen is not a cure for HIV infection. Patients may still get illnesses and infections associated with HIV. Remain under the care of your doctor.
• Lab tests, including liver function and monitoring for hypersensitivity reactions, may be performed while you use Ziagen . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Ziagen with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially liver, kidney, or heart problems.
• Ziagen should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 3 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Ziagen while you are pregnant. It is not known if Ziagen is found in breast milk. Mothers infected with HIV should not breast-feed. There is a risk of passing the HIV infection or Ziagen to the baby.

Possible side effects of Ziagen :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Exhaustion; flushing; general body discomfort; headache; joint pain; lack of energy; loss of appetite; mouth sores; muscle aches; redness of the eyes or swelling of the conjunctiva; severe muscle pain or cramping; sleeplessness; swelling; unusual weakness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal skin sensations; achiness; chest pain or discomfort, numbness of an arm or leg, or sudden vision changes; cough; diarrhea; extreme tiredness; fainting; fever; flu-like illness; generally ill feeling; nausea; severe dizziness; shortness of breath; sore throat; stomach pain; vomiting.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Store Ziagen at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Ziagen out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Ziagen , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Ziagen is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is summary only. It does not contain all information about Ziagen . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

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