Make the most out of your partnership

Sometimes it can be hard to talk to your doctor about HIV. You might get nervous or embarrassed, or just forget what you wanted to say. While these feelings are perfectly normal, it's important to remember that your doctor is on your side. Together you share the same goal: providing you with the best possible treatment plan.


HIV questions to ask your doctor

Here are some HIV questions for people currently in treatment, not currently in treatment, and for those caring for someone with HIV. Be sure to print them out and take them with you to your next doctor's appointment.


If you are currently in treatment, you probably already know the basics about HIV and how it's treated. But each visit to your doctor is an opportunity to learn more and make sure you're sharing as much information about your progress as possible. The following HIV questions will help the two of you keep track of your treatment:

  • If my viral load starts to increase or my T-cell count starts to decrease, what should we do?
  • I'm having a new side effect; what does it mean? (Examples: changes in appetite, weight gain or loss, excessive diarrhea or nausea, or low energy level)
  • What else can I do to stay healthy?
  • When should I consider changing my treatment plan?
  • If it is time to change, should we consider a switch to EPZICOM?
  • Is there any new clinical trial information I should be aware of?
  • What tests can be performed to find out if EPZICOM is an option for me?

Just because you're not currently in treatment doesn't mean you shouldn't talk to your doctor about HIV. In fact, it's the perfect time for you and your doctor to figure out the right treatment plan for you. Regardless of why you're not currently in treatment, the following HIV questions will help you and your doctor get on the same page:

  • How do I avoid giving HIV to other people?
  • What are my current lab results and what do they mean?
  • When should I begin treatment, and how will a treatment regimen be selected?
  • What combination of medications would work best for me?
  • Do these medications have any side effects I need to be aware of?
  • How often should lab tests be performed?
  • What dietary or lifestyle changes do I need to make to increase my chances of successful treatment?

When caring for someone with HIV, communication is important. You might not always get the chance to talk with a doctor, so you need to be prepared for the opportunity. The issues involved with a treatment plan can be complicated, but the following HIV questions will help you get started:

  • What are the patient's current lab results and what do they mean?
  • Have there been any changes in lab results (viral load or T-cell count) that would require a change in treatment?
  • Would there be any other reason to consider a change in treatment?
  • Are there any dietary or lifestyle changes that the patient should be encouraged to make?
  • Are there any side effects or other symptoms that I should be monitoring?

 

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Is EPZICOM an option for you?

Get information about the benefits and side effects of EPZICOM.

Side Effects of EPZICOM

 

Have questions about EPZICOM?

Read our helpful FAQs and information on EPZICOM and find the answers you need.

EPZICOM: FAQs

By prescription only.


Important Safety Information
EPZICOM contains abacavir, which is also contained in ZIAGEN® (abacavir sulfate) and TRIZIVIR® (abacavir sulfate, lamivudine, and zidovudine). Patients taking EPZICOM may have a serious allergic reaction (hypersensitivity reaction) that can cause death. Your risk of this allergic reaction is much higher if you have a gene variation called HLA-B*5701 than if you do not. Your doctor can determine with a blood test if you have this gene variation. If you get a symptom from 2 or more of the following groups while taking EPZICOM, call your doctor right away to determine if you should stop taking this medicine.

  1. Fever
  2. Rash
  3. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal (stomach area) pain
  4. Generally ill feeling, extreme tiredness, or achiness
  5. Shortness of breath, cough, or sore throat
Indication

  • EPZICOM, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults.
  • EPZICOM is one of 3 medicines containing abacavir. Before starting EPZICOM, your healthcare provider will review your medical history in order to avoid the use of abacavir if you have experienced an allergic reaction to abacavir in the past.
  • In one study, more patients had a severe hypersensitivity reaction in the abacavir once-daily group than in the abacavir twice-daily group.
  • EPZICOM should not be used as part of a triple-nucleoside regimen.
  • EPZICOM does not cure HIV infection/AIDS or prevent passing HIV to others.

 

Carefully read the Warning Card that your pharmacist gives you and carry it with you at all times.

If you stop EPZICOM because of an allergic reaction, NEVER take EPZICOM (abacavir sulfate and lamivudine) or any other abacavir-containing medicine (ZIAGEN and TRIZIVIR) again. If you take EPZICOM or any other abacavir-containing medicine again after you have had an allergic reaction, WITHIN HOURS you may get life-threatening symptoms that may include very low blood pressure or death.

If you stop EPZICOM for any other reason, even for a few days, and you are not allergic to EPZICOM, talk with your healthcare provider before taking it again. Taking EPZICOM again can cause a serious allergic or life-threatening reaction, even if you never had an allergic reaction before. If your healthcare provider tells you that you can take EPZICOM again, start taking it when you are around medical help or people who can call a healthcare provider if you need one.

A buildup of lactic acid in the blood and an enlarged liver, including fatal cases, have been reported.

Do not take EPZICOM if your liver does not function normally.

Some patients infected with both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV have worsening of hepatitis after stopping lamivudine (a component of EPZICOM). Discuss any change in treatment with your healthcare provider. If you have both HBV and HIV and stop treatment with EPZICOM, you should be closely monitored by your healthcare provider for at least several months.

Worsening of liver disease (sometimes resulting in death) has occurred in patients infected with both HIV and hepatitis C virus who are taking anti-HIV medicines and are also being treated for hepatitis C with interferon with or without ribavirin. If you are taking EPZICOM as well as interferon with or without ribavirin and you experience side effects, be sure to tell your healthcare provider.

When you start taking HIV medicines, your immune system may get stronger and could begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body, such as pneumonia, herpes virus, or tuberculosis. If you have new symptoms after starting your HIV medicines, be sure to tell your healthcare provider.

Changes in body fat may occur in some patients taking antiretroviral therapy. These changes may include an increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck ("buffalo hump"), breast, and around the trunk. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also occur. The cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known at this time.

Some HIV medicines, including those containing abacavir (ZIAGEN, EPZICOM, and TRIZIVIR), may increase your risk of heart attack. If you have heart problems, smoke, or suffer from diseases that increase your risk of heart disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, tell your healthcare provider.

The most common side effects seen with the drugs in EPZICOM dosed once-daily were allergic reaction, trouble sleeping, depression, headache, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, rash, fever, stomach pain, abnormal dreams, and anxiety. Most of these side effects did not cause people to stop taking EPZICOM.

EPZICOM is a once-a-day HIV medication that combines abacavir sulfate and lamivudine in a single tablet. As backbone therapy for your HIV treatment plan, EPZICOM can help you lower your HIV viral load and raise your CD4 cell count. Talk to your doctor to find out if switching to EPZICOM from other HIV treatments is right for you.