Abacavir is given orally and has a high bio-availability of 83 %. It is metabolised primarily through .[1] Abacavir is taken by mouth as a capsule. The normal adult dose is 300 milligrams (mg) two times a day or 600 mg once a day.[2] Abacavir is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). This drug is the most powerful in its class and one of the most potent antiretrovirals available.[3]

[1] http://www.experiencefestival.com/abacavir
[2] http://www.aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/416
[3] http://www.aegis.com/pubs/rita/2000/ri000310.html


Patients may also complain of vomiting, diarrhoea and itching. The drug should be stopped immediately and never restarted as this may kill the patient.[20] Patients should be advised that antiretroviral therapy with ASPEN ABACAVIR has not been proven to prevent the risk of transmission of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination. Appropriate precautions should continue to be taken.[21] Patients should address specific medical concerns with their physicians. [22]

[20] http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/22/5/125/7/
[21] http://home.intekom.com/pharm/aspen-p/a-abac-s.html
[22] http://www.fpnotebook.com/hiv/pharm/abcvr.htm


Patients are evenly enrolled into 2 groups based on Tanner Stage. Each patient receives a single oral dose of abacavir given as the commercially available oral solution.[23] Patients using abacavir were 4.3 times more likely to have a heart attack than those not using the drug. Another analysis included the risk of a major cardiovascular event, including a heart attack, stroke, coronary artery disease or the need for cardiovascular surgery.[24] Patients receiving interferon with or without ribavirin and TRIZIVIR should be closely monitored for treatment-associated toxicities, especially hepatic decompensation, neutropenia, and anemia. Discontinuation of TRIZIVIR should be considered as medically appropriate.[25]

[23] http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/nct00011479
[24] http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/abacavir_heart_smart_2211_15079.shtml
[25] http://www.trizivir.com/patient_information.html


Patients with a particular HLA allele, HLA-B*5701, have a higher risk of developing these reactions if they are treated with abacavir, and so abacavir is not recommended for these patients. Because of this, a boxed warning recommends that all patients be screened for the HLA-B*5701 allele before starting or restarting abacavir therapy.[52] Patients taking ZIAGEN may have a serious allergic reaction (hypersensitivity reaction) that can cause death. Your risk of having this allergic reaction is much higher if you have a gene variation called HLA*B5701 than if you do not.[53]

[52] http://www.lawsuit.com/lawbits/tag/ziagen/
[53] http://us.gsk.com/html/media-news/pressreleases/2008/2008_us_pressrelease_10117.htm


Patients enrolled in the study, funded by pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, were given Abacavir and divided into two groups. One group was genetically tested.[12] Patients? own physicians were blinded as to whether their patients were B*5701 positive in either arm, although the study was not placebo-controlled. Consequently, physicians knew if their patients were not taking abacavir, but not why.[13]

[12] http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national/gene-test-a-step-towards-safer-hiv-treatment/2007/07/25/1185339080567.html
[13] http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/d9b8d3bf-25ad-46e6-9812-6629ead86a70.asp


Genetic testing can indicate whether an individual will be hypersensitive; over 90% of patients can safely take abacavir. However, in a separate study, the risk of heart attack increased by nearly 90%.[32] Genetic tests for HLA-B*5701 are available and all patients should be screened for the HLA-B*5701 allele before starting or restarting treatment with abacavir or abacavir containing medications. Development of clinically suspected abacavir HSR requires immediate and permanent discontinuation of abacavir therapy in all patients, including patients negative for HLA-B*5701.[33]

[32] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/abacavir
[33] http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/abacavir


Symptoms include unusual muscle pain and weakness, trouble breathing, fast or uneven heart rate, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and numbness or cold feeling in your arms or legs. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms, even if they are only mild.[37]

[37] http://health.yahoo.com/hiv-medications/abacavir/healthwise--d04376a1.html


HIV-1 is transmitted in milk, and in developed countries, breast feeding is not recommended (4,5,7,8 and 9). In developing countries, breast feeding is undertaken, despite the risk, because there are no affordable milk substitutes available.[41] HIV that is resistant to protease inhibitors is not likely to be resistant to abacavir. Redistribution or accumulation of body fat may occur in people taking antiviral medications including: central obesity; facial arm, leg, and/ or buttock wasting; breast enlargement; and fat accumulation at the base of the neck (buffalo hump).[42]

[41] http://drugsafetysite.com/abacavir/
[42] http://india.smashits.com/wikipedia/abacavir


Abacavir hypersensitivity was identified in 18 patients, and drug tolerance was confirmed in 167 patients after 6 weeks of therapy. Patients with the allele (gene component) HLA-B*5701 were over 100 times more likely to be hypersensitive to abacavir; this allele was present in 14 (78%) of the 18 patients with abacavir hypersensitivity, and in four (2%) of the 167 abacavir-tolerant patients.[1] Abacavir may cause serious liver damage and a condition called lactic acidosis (build up of acid in the blood) that may be life-threatening. Tell your doctor if you drink large amounts of alcohol and if you have or have ever had liver disease, including hepatitis.[2] Abacavir belongs to the class of ARVs called Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors and is prescribed in the dosage of 300 mg twice a day. The product will be used in combination with other ARVs such as NRTIs protease inhibitors and/or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.[3]

[1] http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/medicine_health/report-8133.html
[2] http://www.consumerreports.org/health/prescription-drugs/abacavir/warnings.htm
[3] http://www.rediff.com/money/2003/feb/04hot3.htm

This HIV treatment information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.

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