How to Use Ziagen to Treat AIDS HIV

Abacavir, which is marketed under a number of brand names, including Ziagen, is the world's most potent nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). However, the benefits it offers do not come without significant risks. Ziagen can induce complications and side effects that can sometimes be very severe, so patients are strongly urged to learn as much about the drug as possible before agreeing to take it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Physician
• Immunodeficiency specialist
• Ziagen (abacavir) prescription

Treat HIV and AIDS Using Ziagen

1. Have your doctor check you to see how prevalent the antigen HLA-B*5701 is in your bloodstream. HLA-B*5701 is a specific antigen the body produces when an HIV infection is present, though not all people produce it. Allergic sensitivity to Ziagen has been found to be directly proportional to the presence of the HLA-B*5701 antigen.
2. Submit to genetic testing to see whether you're fit to take Ziagen. Some 90 percent of people are deemed to be at low risk for the drug's rare but serious side effects and allergic reactions.
3. Learn the symptoms associated with Ziagen hypersensitivity. Respiratory irritations including coughing and stomach irritations including pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are most common. Rashes, fatigue and fever are also common symptoms of an impending allergic reaction.
4. Take your prescribed dose, as directed by your doctor. Adults are usually gives 300 mg, twice per day. Children are usually directed to take 3.6 mg per pound of weight.
5. Cease your use of Ziagen immediately at the very first sign of an allergic reaction. Contact your doctor, or head to the hospital emergency room if the symptoms worsen or seem severe.
6. Continue to use Ziagen to treat HIV and AIDS if you prove not to be allergic to it, as it is more likely to be effective against HIV strains that show resistance to other drugs, particularly protease inhibitors. Common side effects that are not life threatening include a redistribution of body fat to the neck, breasts and center of the body.
7. Stop your use of Ziagen only when told to do so by your doctor.

Tips & Warnings

• Combine Ziagen with other NRTIs to decrease the possibility that the HIV virus will develop a resistance to the drug. Ziagen is never used on its own to treat HIV and AIDS.
• People with liver damage should strongly consider taking other medications, as abacavir can exacerbate existing liver problems.
• Abacavir has been known to cause extreme allergic reactions in some patients, which have occasionally resulted in death.