Trizivir

Trizivir is a prescription medicine that is used for treating HIV infection or AIDS. While the drug is not a cure for either condition, it can help stop HIV from infecting uninfected cells in the body. Trizivir, which consists of three different HIV medications, comes in tablet form and is generally taken twice a day. Potential side effects of Trizivir include nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

 

What Is Trizivir?

Trizivir® (abacavir/lamivudine/zidovudine) is a prescription medication used to treat HIV infection or AIDS. It is approved for use alone or in combination with other HIV medications as a treatment for HIV. Trizivir contains three different medications, abacavir (Ziagen®, ABC), lamivudine (Epivir®, 3TC), and zidovudine (Retrovir®, AZT, ZDV).
 
(Click Trizivir Uses for more information on what Trizivir is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Trizivir?

Trizivir is made by GlaxoSmithKline.
 

How Does Trizivir Work?

Trizivir contains three different HIV/AIDS medications (abacavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine). All three of these medications belong to a group of HIV medications known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). These medicines work by blocking a process that the HIV virus needs in order to multiply.
 
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. Like other viruses, HIV must use a person's own cells to reproduce. However, HIV is a little different from other viruses because it must first convert its genetic material from RNA to DNA. It is the DNA genes that allow HIV to multiply.
 
HIV converts its genetic material by using a special protein called the reverse transcriptase enzyme. To create DNA, this enzyme uses several different protein building blocks.
 
Trizivir works by tricking reverse transcriptase into thinking it is one of these protein building blocks. However, it is just different enough that when used to create DNA, Trizivir actually stops the DNA from being made. Without DNA, HIV cannot multiply.
 
Trizivir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. It can help stop HIV from infecting uninfected cells in the body, but it does not help cells that have already been infected with the virus.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;