Useful links

Learn more about the test for hypersensitivity

The following is a list of helpful Web sites that provide additional information about HIV, its treatment, and tips on living with the condition.

Useful Web sites about HIV

APositiveLife.com — this Web site features real people telling their stories about HIV. It also provides information on living with HIV, conditions related to HIV infection, HIV treatment, and more
TreatHIV.com — this Web site provides information about HIV treatment and tips for making the most of your options
AIDSmeds.com* — this Web site is designed to provide information on HIV treatment options
FreeHIVinfo.com* — the goal of this site is to facilitate empowered and informed interactions between HIV-infected consumers and their healthcare providers about pharmaceutical and complementary treatments
HIVandHepatitis.com* — this site strives to create a quality online publication that provides accurate, timely, and cutting-edge information about treatment for HIV/AIDS, chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and co-infection with HIV/HCV and HIV/HBV
ProjectInform.org * — this national, non-profit organization has been educating people about HIV since 1985. This Web site has information on a variety of topics related to HIV, including everything from how to pick a doctor to treatment options
TheBody.com * — the most-visited site about HIV on the Internet
Wellproject.org *— this Web site was created to address the HIV-related needs that are unique to women

*Web links are external to GlaxoSmithKline. GlaxoSmithKline does not possess editorial control over the content of the information provided on these sites and therefore does not warrant their accuracy and completeness.

Details on Use of EPZICOM

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 professional 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.

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.

If you get a symptom from 2 or more of the following groups while taking EPZICOM, stop taking EPZICOM and call your doctor right away:

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

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 or any other abacavir-containing medicine (ZIAGEN, 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 professional before taking it again. Taking EPZICOM again can cause a serious or life-threatening reaction, even if you never had an allergic reaction before If your healthcare professional tells you that you can take EPZICOM again, start taking it when you are around medical help or people who can call a doctor 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 doctor. If you have both HBV and HIV and stop treatment with EPZICOM, you should be closely monitored by your doctor 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 doctor.

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 doctor.

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.

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 the side effects do not cause people to stop taking EPZICOM.