Ziagen?

[herewego]

Hello all. The doc's starting me on Ziagen this weekend and I wondered if anyone had any thoughts.

I began Truvada and Sustiva about 6 weeks ago. My VL dropped from 2.7 million to 328 (whoosh, wow) after three weeks but has now risen slightly to 388. The doctor wants to blast this stuff away so is adding the Ziagen. It's never great going on more meds, but nor does it overly worry me and my side-effects weren't too bad first time round (I had a rash for a while) so I said fine. His advice has been good so far

But was interested whether anyone had any advice on Ziagen.

My other counts are good:
March - T-cell 484 and 38%
May- T-cell 895 and 43%

Thanks all

[pozattitude]

Your number look great, congrats.
I have been on Ziagen since 2000 and so far it has been a good med for me.
As far as side effects go, the nausea was pretty bad at first but it got better.  I still have to eat a decent meal before taking the pills or I get sick, but nothing so bad to make me stop.  The other side effect for me has been the "malaise", but I'm not sure is Ziagen alone.  I just think HIV is what has taken my energy away. 
I have to say I was a little freaked out when I started Ziagen because of the warning about the side effects and the little card they tell you to carry at all time because of some fatal allergic reaction on a very few people.   
But as I said.  I've been on it for 7 yrs and it is a good drug for me.

[appleboy]

You have only been on meds for 6 weeks?  I personally think more time to see if your current meds are working.  I know it took me 6 months or so to get down to undetectable.  Something to think about at least.  Did you have a resistance test done lately?  That should show if you are resistant to your current meds.
Good Luck and keep us up to date.
AppleBoy

[herewego]

Tks for those replies. Yikes, hope the Ziagen doesn't strike me down too badly. As I say I've done pretty well on the other stuff, bar the rash, and am malaise-free thankfully.

 Yes, had a resistance test done and all looks fine. I know what you mean about only being on meds for 6 weeks, but the doc just felt very keen to press ahead at this stage and get that VL count down after it stabilised/rose. Said that if we get down towards the holy grail of undetectable, then we cd consider coming off it then and monitor things from there. I'm one of those who's always inclined to go with his doctor's advice, but i did wonder....

[newt]

Adding the Ziagen is unlikely to make the combo stronger, 4 drug isn't better than 3 for first-line therapy. Your viral load drop in 6 weeks to under 1,000 is predicitive of a good long-term response. Ziagen is a stronger drug than the tenofovir in Truvada, so a switch may be worth thinking about.

- matt

[sherm]

herewego,  I too started Ziagen today about 50 mins ago just checking for the same info that you were. thanks for you post.
I am taking Truvada, Fuzeon and a new trial Merck drug mk-0518 (on the three for 3 mo.) had a good drop in VL but doc wants more. Q. does anyone know if Truvada and Ziagen work together? my concern is the viread in Truvada
first time poster

[J.R.E.]

Q. does anyone know if Truvada and Ziagen work together? my concern is the viread in Truvada
first time poster

I started my first line of treatment, October of 03. I was switched from Zerit to Ziagen back around December of 03. My regimen consists of Viramune, Epzicom (Epivir and Ziagen) and Viread. So far there is no problem with the Viread. Also want to state that the Viread was added around ( I believe Sep. of 04.) I am on 3 nukes( Epivir,Ziagen and Viread and one non-nuke--Viramune. So far things seem to be going OK. I have had the highest t-cell readings on my last blood test, since starting on meds, and I remain <50. All my other blood test are within range, and the doctor is pleased about that. ( and so am I )


Ray

[BriGuyNY,NY]

Hi all.  Don't want to scare you, but I had a severe reaction on Ziagen after 3 doses in combo with sustiva.  Broke out in a rash head to toe, and a fever to 104.5.  resolved with tylenol and benadryl, but now must avoid at all costs as restarting can cause death.

[J.R.E.]

Hi all.  Don't want to scare you, but I had a severe reaction on Ziagen after 3 doses in combo with sustiva.  Broke out in a rash head to toe, and a fever to 104.5.  resolved with tylenol and benadryl, but now must avoid at all costs as restarting can cause death.

Yes that is possible in some cases : ( From The Aidsmeds Drug Section)

"Approximately 8% of people who take Ziagen are allergic to it and can experience a "hypersensitivity reaction." This can be serious and may require that Ziagen therapy be stopped. A hypersensitivity reaction usually appears during the second week of therapy, but it can take as long as six weeks to notice any symptoms. The most common symptoms are fever and rash, followed by headaches, stomach upset, feeling tired, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath. These symptoms usually get worse over time and it is important that you report them to your doctor immediately"


Ray

[mjmel]

Hi all.  Don't want to scare you, but I had a severe reaction on Ziagen after 3 doses in combo with sustiva.  Broke out in a rash head to toe, and a fever to 104.5.  resolved with tylenol and benadryl, but now must avoid at all costs as restarting can cause death.

I'm included in that lot. Nothing I'd want to go through again, that's for sure! It took about a week before I realized I was having a bad reaction........I was wearing a short sleeved pullover and when I took my shirt of at the end of the day I was beet red where the shirt touched my skin. It went away by morning. Two days later it was back but in blotches......by then the skin on my hands were splitting open and the proton pumps in my stomach were cranking high volume acidic juices. Nexium and steroids saved my ass.
xxx,
Mike