Description of Trizivir

Most human immunodeficiency virus drugs are a combination of two or three medications that affect the virus at different stages in your body and provide back-up in case the virus has become resistant to any of the active ingredients contained in the HIV medication. The 3 active ingredients in Trizivir can reduce your viral load and your HIV symptoms, but it is not a cure for HIV or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

How the Active Ingredients Help Lower Your Viral Load

Trizivir consists of three drugs, Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine. Abacavir interferes with a certain enzyme so the virus is unable to multiply; Lamivudine and Zidovudine are converted in your body into Lamivudine triphosphate and Zidovudine triphosphate in order to mimic the naturally occurring triphosphates in your body that the virus requires for making its DNA and creating new viruses. However, when the viruses use Lamivudine and Zidovudine, the activity of the reverse transcriptase enzymes are unable to complete their mission.

These actions result in the interference with the virus being able to multiply so your viral load decreases and your white blood cells are able to increase so your immune system is stronger, but not strong enough to eradicate all of the HIV in your body.

How a Retrovirus Works

HIV is a retrovirus, which means that it is made of RNA and not DNA and needs a “host” in order to replicate. This type of virus has an enzyme that enables it to transcribe the RNA (ribonucleic acid) into DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) after they have taken over a cell. These cells then produce new viruses; taking Trizivir helps to stop this action so the amount of new viruses is decreased. Taking Trizivir will not protect you from passing HIV on to others so you will still have to use extreme caution and avoid sharing syringes or other items that have been exposed to your blood, saliva, sperm, or vaginal fluid.

Before You Take Trizivir

Tell your doctor about other medical conditions you may have and discuss current prescription medicine and over the counter drugs you take, including herbal remedies or vitamin supplements. If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are nursing, you could pass HIV to your baby or unborn child so discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor about taking Trizivir.

Precautions and Recommendations for Trizivir

Do not stop taking Trizivir without talking to your doctor first. If you stop or miss several doses you could experience a dangerous reaction when you start taking it again. It’s important to keep a steady level of Trizivir in your system so the virus does not have a chance to get the upper hand or mutates in such a way as to be resistant to at least one of the drugs in Trizivir.

Possible Side Effects of Trizivir

• Loss of appetite
• Trouble sleeping
• Chills
• Headache
• Changes in body fat

Drugs Similar to Trizivir

• Truvada
• Viread
• Complera