Drug Dosing Tool: Trizivir (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

Trizivir (AZT + Epivir + Ziagen)

Type of Drug: Fixed-Dose Combination

Fixed-dose combinations combine the most commonly prescribed doses of several medications into 1 pill. This pill is a combination of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, also called NRTIs, nucleoside analogues, or "nukes." These were the first type of drug available to treat HIV.

When the HIV virus enters a healthy cell, it attempts to make copies of itself. It does this by using an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. NRTIs block that enzyme, so HIV cannot make new copies of itself.

Approved adult dosing

AZT 300 mg + Epivir 150 mg + Ziagen 300 mg in a single tablet

one tablet, two times a day

Morning
Trizivir
Evening
Trizivir

Notes on taking this medication

No food restrictions, can take with or without food
Do not take Trizivir with Zerit
Persons with kidney problems may need an adjustment to their doses of the component drugs, and have to take them separately, not as one pill

Same side effects as

AZT

Nausea; stomach discomfort; headache
Symptoms of anemia (low red blood cell count): fatigue; shortness of breath
More rarely: muscle wasting; neutropenia (low white blood cell count)
Changes in body-fat distribution

Epivir

Side effects are rare but include headaches and general sense of feeling ill
Epivir is active against hepatitis B, and stopping it can cause "flare-up" of hepatitis B

Ziagen

Mild nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; loss of appetite
Rash

Caution! Ziagen can cause a serious allergic reaction that includes at least 2 of the following: fever, malaise, severe nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, and rash. Symptoms usually begin within 6 weeks of starting medication.

If you think you are having an allergic reaction, call your doctor at once. If allergic, you will have to stop Ziagen and never take it again. Starting it again can cause serious illness or death.

See accompanying chart: Tips for Common Side Effects

My doctor's instructions

Disclaimer:

This information is not meant to substitute for advice from your medical provider or pharmacist. If you have any questions about your medication dosing, talk to your medical provider or pharmacist.

Drug Dosing Toolkit