E-Mail
Glossary
Share
What Are Fusion Inhibitors?
Response from Carol Salisbury, APRN-BC, M.S.N. (February 16, 2007)
Is Fuzeon Right for Someone Who Is Multidrug Resistant?
I have a CD4 of about 400 and an undetectable viral load. I am resistant to most meds and want to know what my options are. Could Fuzeon be right for me? My doctor told me that there's a possibility for once-a-week injections of Fuzeon, instead of every 12 hours. What do you know about this?
Response from Carol Salisbury, APRN-BC, M.S.N. (January 30, 2007)
What's the Deal With Fuzeon?
I was recently diagnosed with HIV, and after reading up on Fuzeon, I have a bunch of questions: Why can Fuzeon only be administered through injections? Why is it only used by HIVers with resistance to other meds? Are there any studies on using Fuzeon in people with CD4 counts higher than 200?
Response from Carol Salisbury, APRN-BC, M.S.N. (December 3, 2006)
If I Miss a Dose of Fuzeon, What Should I Do?
What is the window period for a missed dose of Fuzeon? I usually take it between 11 o'clock and 12 o'clock, morning and night, and I missed my morning dose. The earliest I could have taken it was 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Should I have taken the dose right away or waited for my next scheduled dose?
Response from Carol Salisbury, APRN-BC, M.S.N. (June 26, 2006)
Will Taking Fuzeon Now Limit My Choices in the Future?
I'm considering entering a clinical trial that basically uses a standard oral drug regimen, along with twice-daily Fuzeon injections in an attempt to eradicate HIV infection. I know that Fuzeon treatments are often saved as a last line of defense for various treatment failures, and I am treatment-naive. By starting with Fuzeon, am I putting myself at extreme risk of not having this treatment option available in the future?
Response from Carol Salisbury, APRN-BC, M.S.N. (January 30, 2007)
Should I Stop Taking Fuzeon?
I was diagnosed last January with a CD4 of 10 and a very high viral load. I started a regular three-drug regimen, and after not seeing much of a result in six months, my doc added Ziagen (abacavir) and Fuzeon to my meds. Now my CD4 count is 190, and my viral load is 200. My doc wants me to discontinue the Fuzeon. What do you think?
Response from Gerald Pierone, M.D. (January 3, 2007)
Will Fuzeon Put Less Stress on My Pancreas?
I suffer from chronic pancreatitis, brought about in large part by my HIV meds. While I still have a fair number of drug options open to me, I started Fuzeon about a month ago to minimize the effects on my pancreas. Was this the right decision, or will this put me in a tight spot if I were ever to develop any drug resistance?
Response from Carol Salisbury, APRN-BC, M.S.N. (April 23, 2006)
Should I Start Taking Fuzeon Now or Wait?
My last drug resistance test showed a resistance to all HIV meds. My doctor immediately switched my drug regimen and wants me to start taking Fuzeon, too. Is this the right time to add Fuzeon or should I wait a while? My health has been pretty good, but fatigue has become a more significant issue this year.
Response from Don E. Kurtyka, ARNP (September 19, 2004)
Is Fuzeon a Possibility for an HIVer With Bad Side Effects?
If a person has had an undetectable viral load for a period of time on a drug regimen, and has managed to raise their CD4 count to the 400s, but has really difficult side effects, is Fuzeon a possibility?
Response from Don E. Kurtyka, ARNP (September 5, 2004)
What Are Injection Site Reactions?
What exactly are injection site reactions? Unless I massage them on a daily basis, they last for more than a month. What do you think of trying an ultrasound device on them to possibly break them up and help them disperse?
Response from Carol Salisbury, APRN-BC, M.S.N. (September 26, 2006)
Are My Anxiety Attacks a Side Effect of Fuzeon?
Is it common to have anxiety attacks with Fuzeon? I only took it for six days, and on the last day I had an anxiety attack to beat all attacks. I went to my clinic, and after some research, they gave me an anti-anxiety medication that worked, but I haven't taken my Fuzeon since. I'm scared to death!
Response from Carol Salisbury, APRN-BC, M.S.N. (May 17, 2006)
Why Are My Injection Site Reactions Getting Worse?
I have been using Fuzeon since it was first approved. Over time, my injection site reactions seem to have become worse. They are more painful and last longer. Lately, I've also had severe muscle aches and fatigue. Is there some sort of systemic reaction to my long-term Fuzeon use?
Response from Carol Salisbury, APRN-BC, M.S.N. (April 18, 2006)
Are Flu-Like Symptoms Common When Starting Fuzeon?
I recently began Fuzeon, and now I feel horrible: weakness, headache, freezing feet, pain in calves. Are these side effects normal when you begin Fuzeon?
Response from Don E. Kurtyka, ARNP (August 5, 2005)
Does Fuzeon Have to Be Refrigerated?
Can I make three vials of Fuzeon at once? And how important is it that the other doses remain refrigerated until they are used? If you are traveling in a cool climate and there is no refrigerator available, can you leave a dose out overnight to take first thing in the morning?
Response from Don E. Kurtyka, ARNP (April 11, 2005)
What Is the Proper Way to Fill a Syringe?
I sometimes have difficulty filling the syringe with Fuzeon. It fills very slowly or sometimes leaks from the vial. I'm following the instructions provided. Any suggestions?
Response from Don E. Kurtyka, ARNP (September 28, 2004)
Am I Eligible for the Biojector 2000?
I've heard about an injector being used, instead of syringes, for Fuzeon. How do I find out if I can use that?
Response from Carol Salisbury, APRN-BC, M.S.N. (December 3, 2006)
The Biojector 2000 Isn't Working for Me -- What Can I Do?
I am in a study for the Biojector 2000. I'm finding it painful and difficult to use. I am beginning to feel abdominal pain from the injection sites and am becoming depressed. What can I do? Can I take Fuzeon once-a-day?
Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D. (August 16, 2006)
Why Are My Injection Site Reactions From the Biojector 2000 Getting Worse?
I have been taking Fuzeon with three other meds for about a month now. I am using the Biojector 2000 instead of syringes. I have noticed that my injection site reactions are getting worse as I continue to take the Fuzeon. What is going on?
Response from Don E. Kurtyka, ARNP (October 23, 2005)