FDA Approves HIV Treatment Trizivir, Three Drugs in One Pill
The FDA has approved Trizivir, an HIV treatment for adults that combines lamivudine (3TC), zidovudine (AZT) and abacavir (ABC) into a single tablet. Developed by Glaxo Wellcome, the medicine is intended to help patients adhere to their medication regimen, which may include as many as 20 tablets or capsules daily (Glaxo Wellcome release, 11/15). The treatment may be used alone or in combination with other antiretroviral agents, but not with other treatments of abacavir, lamivudine or zidovudine, as they are all contained in Trizivir. The recommended dose of Trizivir is one pill twice a day without dietary restrictions. Children or adults under 88 pounds should not take the medication, as it is a "fixed dose tablet." Possible side effects of Trizivir include lactic acidosis, liver problems, anemia, neutropenia, nausea, fatigue and myopathy. Other possible side effects, including fever, rash, fati
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