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What
is Fuzeon?
Fuzeon is the first HIV medication that is taken as an injection under the
skin. Fuzeon works by blocking the HIV virus from entering human cells.
Fuzeon must be taken twice a day and should be taken in combination with
other HIV medications.
What is included in the Fuzeon package?
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- 60 Fuzeon vials
- 60 sterile water vials
- 60 large (3 ml) syringes
- 60 small (1 ml) syringes
- Alcohol pads
- Container to dispose used syringes
How do I prepare the Fuzeon injection?
1) Wash hands
2)Mix
- Add 1.1 ml of sterile water (use 3 ml syringe) into Fuzeon vial. DO
NOT SHAKE.
- To save time you can mix both of your daily doses at the same time,
but you must keep the second dose in the refrigerator. Once sterile water
has been added to Fuzeon, it is only good for 24 hours, if not used after
24 hours Fuzeon should be discarded.
- After sterile water has been added it takes 10-30 minutes for ALL of
Fuzeon to dissolve.
- Once Fuzeon is completely dissolved, draw up 1 ml using the small 1
ml syringe.
- Clean area with alcohol pad where you will administer the injection.
How should Fuzeon be administered?
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Select site for injection - Injections should be administered at different
sites including areas around upper thigh and abdominal area to avoid excessive
irritation in any one area.
- Pinch - Pinch and hold fold of skin
- Pierce/Push - Place needle into pinched skin and slowly push syringe
plunger all the way to inject Fuzeon.
- Dispose - Place used needle in plastic disposal container provided. Once container is full, close the lid, place in plastic bag, and place in the garbage.
Where to Inject:
What are the potential side effects of Fuzeon?
There are few side effects except for local injection site reactions that
can include the following: redness, bumps, itching, swelling, and tenderness.
Injection site reactions may be worse when injections are given again in
the same place on the body. Most of these injection reactions improve after
a few weeks to months. If you are worried about the reaction you are having,
call your health care provider to help you decide if you need medical attention.
Tips to help prevent injection site reactions
- Clean area of skin well with alcohol pad
- Make sure Fuzeon is completely dissolved
- Massage area before injection
- Pinch skin real good so the needle only penetrates just underneath the skin
- Inject Fuzeon slowly
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