What is Trizivir: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Trizivir overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Trizivir

Generic Names:

  • Abacavir-Lamivudine-Zidovudine

Uses:

  • Treats HIV infection. HIV causes AIDS. This medicine does not cure HIV or AIDS, but combinations of drugs may slow the progress of the disease.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antiretroviral Agent

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Trizivir used for?

Abacavir-Lamivudine-Zidovudine is an antiviral drug used to treat patients with the HIV virus. It stops the virus from multiplying in the body. Controlling the virus can improve your immune system and reduce the risk of contracting new infections.

What form(s) does Trizivir come in

  • Tablet

What are common Trizivir doses?

  • Tablet 300-150-300MG

Common Trizivir prescriptions

  • Trizivir
    300-150-300mg tablet

How to take Trizivir

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Do not stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. If you stop the medicine even for a short time, the virus may become harder to treat. Contact your doctor or pharmacist when your supply is running low so you do not run out.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Do not stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. If you stop the medicine even for a short time, the virus may become harder to treat. Contact your doctor or pharmacist when your supply is running low so you do not run out.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

What to do if you miss a dose of Trizivir

  • Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Oral routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Trizivir contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to abacavir, lamivudine, or zidovudine.

Trizivir warnings

  • This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to others. Always practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles or other items that may have blood or body fluids on them.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you have kidney problems, liver disease (including hepatitis B or C), diabetes, muscle weakness, heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. Tell your doctor if you smoke.

  • Do not breastfeed. You can spread HIV or AIDS to your baby through your breast milk.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Serious allergic reactions (including allergic reactions affecting different body organs)Myopathy (muscle weakness)Lactic acidosis (too much acid in the blood)Severe liver problemsIncreased risk of heart attack

  • Ask your pharmacist for a warning card that lists the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Carry the card with you at all times.

  • Do not stop using this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. If you stop the medicine even for a short time, the virus may become harder to treat or you may be more likely to have an allergic reaction.

  • Your immune system may get stronger when you start taking HIV medicines. This could cause a hidden infection in your body to become active. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your health.

  • This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to others. Always practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles or other items that may have blood or body fluids on them.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Trizivir interactions

  • Carry the Warning card with a list of allergic symptoms with you at all times. You should not use this medicine again if you have had an allergic reaction because it could be life-threatening.

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

  • Call your doctor right away if you have 2 or more of the following groups of symptoms. These may be signs of a life-threatening allergic reaction to the medicine:FeverRashNausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach painSevere tiredness, aching, or general ill feelingSore throat, trouble breathing, or cough

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

  • Some medicines can affect how this medicine works. Tell your doctor if you are using doxorubicin, ganciclovir, interferon-alfa, methadone, ribavirin, or stavudine.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to others. Always practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles or other items that may have blood or body fluids on them.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • You should not stop using this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. If you stop using this medicine for any reason, do not start using it again without talking to your doctor.

  • This medicine may cause a muscle disease called myopathy. Check with your doctor if you have muscle pain, swelling, tenderness, wasting, or weakness.

  • Your immune system may get stronger when you start taking HIV medicines. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your health. Sometimes the immune system will start to fight infections that were hidden in your body, such as pneumonia, herpes, or tuberculosis.

  • Lactic acidosis (too much acid in the blood) and liver toxicity are rare but serious reactions to this medicine. These are more common if you are female, obese, or have been taking anti-HIV medicines for a long time. Call your doctor right away if you have more than one of these symptoms: stomach pain; dark urine; decreased appetite; diarrhea; general feeling of discomfort; light-colored stools; muscle pain; nausea; unusual tiredness or weakness; trouble breathing; vomiting; or yellow eyes or skin.

  • This medicine may cause changes to your body fat. Tell your doctor if you notice changes in your body shape, such as more fat in your upper back and neck or around your chest and stomach area. You may also lose fat from the legs, arms, and face.

  • This medicine may increase your risk of a heart attack. This is more likely to occur if you smoke or already have heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol or fats in the blood. Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain or discomfort; nausea; pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back or neck; trouble breathing; sweating; or vomiting.

Trizivir side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Muscle pain or tenderness

  • Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and body aches

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, or weakness

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating, faintness

  • Dark urine or pale stools, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes

  • Fast breathing, trouble breathing, lightheadedness, severe weakness, tiredness, or confusion

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Headache

  • Weight gain around your neck, upper back, breast, face, or waist

  • Weight gain around your neck, upper back, breast, face, or waist

  • Mild skin rash or itching

  • Diarrhea