Ziagen Solution (Abacavir Sulphate)

Do’s

Read the Medication Guide and Warning Card carefully before starting Ziagen and with every refill. Keep the Warning Card with you at all times.

Take Ziagen exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider, including dosage, frequency (1-2 times daily), and with or without food.

Use the provided measuring device/spoon for the liquid form to ensure accurate dosing. Don't use a household spoon.

Continue taking Ziagen consistently, even if you feel well. 

Refill your medication before you run out to avoid stopping treatment.

Take Ziagen at evenly spaced times throughout the day, ideally at the same time(s) every day, to maintain proper effectiveness.

Maintain open communication with your healthcare provider regarding your treatment plan and any questions or concerns.

Don'ts

Don't stop taking Ziagen without consulting your healthcare provider. Stopping abruptly can increase your risk of a serious allergic reaction upon restarting.

Don't change your dosage or frequency without your healthcare provider's approval. This can lead to increased virus levels, treatment resistance, or worsened side effects.

Don't skip doses, increase your dose, or stop taking it without your healthcare provider's instruction.

Don't use a household spoon for measuring the liquid medication.

Common Side Effects:

Loss of appetite

Headache

Nausea

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Rash

Fever

Lethargy (lack of energy)

Tiredness

Serious Side Effects:

Severe upper stomach pain

Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite

Unusual muscle pain

Trouble breathing

Stomach pain

Irregular heart rate

Dizziness

Feeling cold

Weakness

Serious allergic reactions

Lactic acidosis (build-up of acid in the blood)

Liver problems

This is not an exhaustive list, and other side effects may occur. If you experience any unusual or severe side effects while taking Ziagen solution, contact your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Inform your healthcare provider about any allergies to abacavir or its ingredients.

Share your medical background with your healthcare provider, especially regarding:

Liver problems (hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis)

Kidney problems

Alcohol use

Abacavir may increase the risk of heart attack. Discuss these risks and ways to lower your heart disease risk with your healthcare provider. Tell your healthcare provider if you have heart problems, smoke, or have other risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol).

Before surgery, inform your healthcare providers about all medications you take (prescription, non-prescription, and herbal).

Discuss pregnancy with your healthcare provider. Abacavir can help reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to your baby. Weigh the risks and benefits of treatment with your healthcare provider.

Abacavir passes into breast milk. Consult your healthcare provider before breastfeeding due to the risk of HIV transmission through breast milk.

Abacavir can cause a serious (potentially fatal) allergic reaction.

Your healthcare provider will order a blood test to assess your risk before starting or restarting abacavir.

If the test shows a high risk, you should not take this medication and discuss alternative treatments with your healthcare provider.

Be aware of the symptoms of an allergic reaction, including:

Rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)

Severe dizziness, trouble breathing

Fever, extreme tiredness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain

Muscle aches, sore throat, cough

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of these symptoms.

Never take abacavir again if you stop due to an allergic reaction, as it can be fatal.

Inform all healthcare providers about stopping abacavir due to an allergic reaction.

Dispose of unused abacavir properly.

Review the warning card provided with the medication for more details.