Trizivir – uses, health risks, and side effects at NaturalPedia.com

Thursday, September 20, 2018 by Michelle Simmons

Trizivir is the brand name of the drug combination of abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine, which are antiviral medications that prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in the body. Although this drug is used to treat HIV, which can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), it is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Trizivir belongs to a class of medications referred to as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). This drug works by reducing the amount of HIV in the blood. It comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Usually, it is taken with or without food two times a day.

Trizivir is not suitable for everyone. Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you ever had one of the following:

bone marrow suppression
kidney disease
liver disease
heart disease or a risk factor for heart diseases such as smoking, diabetes, or high cholesterol
high blood pressure

Trizivir should not be used by the following:

People who have or have had an allergic reaction to Trizivir or any medicine that contains abacavir, lamivudine, or zidovudine, including Combivir, Epivir, Epzicom, Retrovir, or Ziagen.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women

Known side effects of Trizivir

Trizivir can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction. Stop using it and seek emergency medical help if you have two or more of the following side effects: fever; rash; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain; general ill feeling, extreme tiredness, body aches; or shortness of breath, cough, sore throat. In addition, Trizivir can increase your risk of certain infections or autoimmune disorders by affecting the functioning of the immune system.

The common side effects of Trizivir include:

Changes in the shape or location of body fat, particularly in the arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Weakness or tiredness

Trizivir can also cause the following serious side effects:

Liver problems with symptoms such as nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice
Low red blood cells or anemia, with symptoms such as pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, trouble concentrating
Low white blood cells, with symptoms including fever, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, difficulty breathing
Muscle disorders
Skin rash

Body systems that may be harmed by Trizivir

The body systems that may be harmed by Trizivir include digestive, immune, integumentary, nervous, hepatic, hematologic, metabolic, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems.

Food items or nutrients that may prevent Trizivir’s side effects

The following food items can help prevent and treat nausea, one of the possible side effects of Trizivir:

Apple cider vinegar
BRAT diet (consists of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast)
Chamomile
Ginger
Lemon
Peppermint

Treatments, management plans for the Trizivir’s side effects

Nausea and vomiting, common side effects of Trizivir, can be treated through the following natural remedies:

Drinking one to two ounces of clear liquids, such as water, broth, or herbal tea, about 30 minutes after the last vomiting episode occurred.
Refraining from drinking alcohol and carbonated beverages.
Drinking ginger tea, ginger ale, or sucking on ginger candies.
Using aromatherapy or smelling scents, such as chamomile, lavender, lemon oil, clove, peppermint, and rose.
Using acupressure to relieve nausea.