ABACAVIR = ABC oral

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    Last updated: October 2024

     

    Prescription under medical supervision

     

     

    Therapeutic action

    • Antiretroviral, HIV nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor

    Indications

    • HIV infection, in combination with other antiretrovirals

    Forms and strengths

    • Fixed-dose combinations with lamivudine (3TC):
      • 120 mg abacavir/60 mg lamivudine breakable and dispersible tablet
      • 600 mg abacavir/300 mg lamivudine tablet

    Dosage

    The daily dose can be administered once daily or in 2 divided doses.

    • Child 1 month and over and adult:

     

    Weight

    Daily dose

    ABC/3TC

    120/60 mg tablet

    600/300 mg tablet

    3 to < 6 kg

    120/60 mg

    ½ tab x 2

    or 1 tab x 1

    		 –

    6 to < 10 kg

    180/90 mg

    ½ tab morning and 1 tab evening

    or 1 ½ tab x 1

    		 –

    10 to < 14 kg

    240/120 mg

    1 tab x 2

    or 2 tab x 1

    		 –

    14 to < 20 kg

    300/150 mg

    1 tab morning and 1 ½ tab evening

    or 2 ½ tab x 1

    		 –

    20 to < 25 kg

    360/180 mg

    1 ½ tab x 2

    or 3 tab x 1

    		 –

    ≥ 25 kg 

    600/300 mg

    		 – 

    1 tab x 1

     

    Duration

    • Depending on the efficacy and tolerance of abacavir.

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Do not administer to patients with severe hepatic impairment or history of hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir that led to discontinuation of treatment.
    • Administer with caution to patients with hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia (might increase the risk of coronary disease).
    • May cause:
      • hypersensitivity reactions: fever, rash, gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain), pharyngitis, cough, dyspnoea, malaise, headache, lethargy, myalgia, arthralgia;
      • lactic acidosis, pancreatitis and hepatic disorders.

    In all these cases, stop taking abacavir immediately and permanently.

    • Pregnancy: no contra-indication

    Remarks

    • Do not cut, crush or chew the 600/300 mg tablets. 
    • Also comes in fixed-dose combination 60 mg abacavir/30 mg lamivudine/5 mg dolutegravir dispersible tablet. Preferably use this formulation when available in children.

    Storage

     
    –  
     
    –  Below 25 °C 
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