i was taken off of combivir about a week ago because of neuropathy beleived to be caused by the 3tc in combivir. i have been put on azt and ziagen to take its place. i understand about 5 percent of people cannot tolerate ziagen due to hypersensitivity. can you please tell me what the symptoms would be. and also how soon about i start taking ziagen would the reaction be likely to start. i understand rash would be one symptom. what part of the body would i be most likely to see it. or could it be anywhere. i noticed some itching today in different areas. am hoping that this is not the beginning of a allergic reation. if for some reason i am one of the 5 percent what would i be likely to be switched to now, given the combivir brought on neuropathy. thanks again very much for your time and dedication. your help is very much appreciated.

Ziagen hypersensitivity symptoms usually involves two or more of the following:

skin rash (usually diffuse) very severe tiredness GI complaints (Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain) fever (usually > 100.9 F chest tightness/sensation of something in throat

The time course is that most patients develop symptoms around days 10-14. It is unusual to see the reaction after 8 weeks of steady use.

A key parameter is that the symptoms get worse after the dose of Ziagen and then tend to ease up a bit-then worse again with the next dose. If you just have a limited rash with no progression with more doses and no new additional symptoms it is unlikely to be the hypersensivity syndrome. Any symptoms that you are concerned about should be discussed with your HIV doc. KH