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Last updated: September 2021
Therapeutic action
- Antiretroviral, HIV nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
Indications
- HIV infection, in combination with other antiretroviral drugs
Forms and strengths
- 300 mg tablet
Dosage
- Adult: 300 mg 2 times daily or 600 mg once daily
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 hypersensibility reaction to abacavir that led to discontinuation of treatment.
- Administer with caution to patients with hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia (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
- Also comes in fixed-dose combinations (abacavir 120 mg/lamivudine 60 mg dispersible, breakable, paediatric tablet and abacavir 600 mg/lamivudine 300 mg tablet). Preferably use these formulations when available.
Storage
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- Below 25 °C