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Epzicom is an anti-HIV drug of the category Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs). Marketed by Glaxo SmithKline, Epzicom was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use by people living with HIV in August 2004.

Epzicom is a combination of two drugs, 600 mg of Ziagen and 300 mg of Epivir. The brand name Epzicom is an acronym for (E)pivir and (ZI)agen in (COM)bination. Epzicom prevents HIV from altering the genetic material of healthy T-cells. This prevents the cells from producing new virus and decreases the amount of virus in the body. It must be combined with at least one other anti-HIV medicine, usually with a Protease Inhibitor (PI) or with a Non-nucleaside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NNRTI).

Epzicom is a tablet that is taken once a day. It can be taken with or without food. It is the same effective as in the case of Ziagen and Epivir taken as separate pills together.

The drug for the HIV Patients, Epzicom, may have some side effects also. One of the most important side effects of Epzicom is the hypersensitivity. The Ziagen in Epzicom causes allergy to 8% of the people who take Ziagen. In that case, it is advisable to stop taking Epzicom. A hypersensitivity reaction usually appears during the second week of the therapy, though it can take as long as six weeks to notice any symptoms. The most common symptoms that can be noticed are fever and rash, followed by headaches, stomach upset, feeling sick or tired, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath, which gets worse over the time. All of these should immediately be reported to the physician.

While taking Epzicom, one can have liver problems. It can also increase fat levels in the blood as well as abnormal body-shape changes also.

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