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Abacavir

abacavir.jpg

Abacavir is an NRTIA type of anti-HIV drug that works by inhibiting a stage of the HIV life cycle called reverse transcription. Non-nucleosides work in a similar way, but are chemically different. which is highly potent in people who have not taken antiretrovial therapy and is also often effective in people who have taken HIV treatments before.

A main concern with any regimen containing abacavir is the possibility of developing a severe hypersensitivity rection to the drug. It is also not recommended for people already at risk of heart attackA life-threatening emergency in which the blood supply to the heart is suddenly cut off, causing the heart muscle (myocardium) to die from lack of oxygen..

However, abacavir is one of the antiretroviralsA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. that can cross the blood-brain barrierA selective barrier (obstacle) between circulating blood and brain tissues that prevents damaging substances from reaching the brain. Certain compounds readily cross the blood-brain barrier; others are completely blocked. and combat HIV in the central nervous system and reduce viral loadA measurement of the quantity of HIV RNA in the blood. Viral load blood test results are expressed as the number of copies (of HIV) per milliliter of blood plasma. in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Generic name: abacavir
Pronunciation:uh-BACK-aveer
Brand name:Ziagen
Also known as:1592U89
Drug class:nucleoside analogue
Pregnancy safe?Not suitable for use in pregnancy. If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, you should not take this treatment.
Pediatric dosing?Available in doses suitable for children and/or young people.
Availability in Australia:
  • Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) through S100 prescribers.
  • This drug may be available through clinical trials in Australia.
  • You may be able to import this drug from overseas for your personal use.
Presentation:300mg tablet;20mg per mL, 240mL oral solution
What the treatment guidelines say:The Guidelines note that abacavir can cause a potentially fatal hypersensitivity reaction. Symptoms of hypersensitivity may include fever, rash, nausea, vomiting, malaise or fatigue, loss of appetite, and/or respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, cough, shortness of breath. Abacavir may also cause a rare but potentially life-threatening toxicity called lactic acidosis with hepatic steatosis.
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Like most anti-HIV drugs, abacavir must be taken in combination with other drugs to be completely effective. Commonly, abacavir is combined with one other nucleoside (NRTI) drug and either a protease inhibitor or non-nucleoside, although other combinations are sometimes used. Your doctor will advise you on the right combination of drugs to suit your circumstances.

Dosage

The normal adult dose is one 300mg tablet twice a day or two 300mg tablets once a day.

For children and adolescents age 3 months to 16 years, the recommended dosage is 8 mg/kg twice a day (up to a maximum of 300 mg twice a day).

Regardless of what you read on this website or elsewhere, you should always take your medications according to your doctor's instructions. If you're unsure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

With or without food?

Abacavir may be taken with or without food.

Side effects

All drugs can produce side effects in some people. These may be mild, moderate or severe, so you should be aware of potential side effects before starting any drug, and speak to your doctor if you experience side effects that concern you.

  • Common side effects may include nausea (upset stomach, feeling sick to the stomach), diarrhoea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, lethargy, fever, loss of appetite.
  • Rare side effects may include serious hypersensitivity reaction which may be life-threatening, lactic acidosis with hepatic steatosis.

    • It's unlikely you will experience all of these side effects, and you may not experience any side effects at all. Before starting any new drug, ask your doctor about side effects you might experience and discuss strategies for dealing with side effects if they do occur. If you experience any significant side effect you should continue taking your medicine and see your doctor as soon as possible.

Interactions with other drugs

Patients taking abacavir and methadone hydrochloride should be monitored for methadone withdrawal symptoms as the drug increases clearance of methadone from the body. Alcohol increases the blood levels of abacavir. This is more likely to be a problem for people with liver disease and it is not recommended that they take abacavir.
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Abacavir or tenofovir for first-line?

Positive Living article • Graham Stocks • 24 November 2011

According to the Canadian Observational CohortIn epidemiologyThe branch of medical science that deals with the study of incidence and distribution and control of a disease in a population., a group of individuals with some characteristics in common. A cohort study is a special kind of clinical trialA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. which looks at a treatment or treatment strategy in a cohort of people. collaboration, abacavir (ABC) or tenofovir (TDF) are equally effective in first-line treatment.

The authors found that in their group of treatment-naive patients starting treatment, there was no difference in time to suppression with ABC/3TC (Kivexa) versus TDF/FTC (Truvada). read more »

Tenofovir vs abacavir: the saga continues

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 1 September 2011

Compared to abacavir, tenofovir does increase bone mineral density (BMD) loss but not fracture risk, according to the results from the STEAL trial reported at the IAS Conference in Rome. read more »

Drugs linked to heart risks, minimal

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 26 May 2011

A Canadian study has associated abacavir, efavirenz, lopinavir and ritonavir with an increased risk of heart attackA life-threatening emergency in which the blood supply to the heart is suddenly cut off, causing the heart muscle (myocardium) to die from lack of oxygen.. The research also showed that patients with HIV had twice the risk of heart attack compared to matched HIV
negative controls. read more »

Snippets from ASHM

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 2 December 2010

The Australasian HIV/AIDS Conference was held in Sydney in October. Here are some of the treatment highlights: read more »

Treatments news from the IAS Conference

Positive Living article • 20 August 2009
pregnancy and childbirth

A roundup of HIV treatments developments from the IAS Conference in Cape Town. read more »

Other common tests

From HIV Tests and Treatments • 7 August 2009

Viral loadA measurement of the quantity of HIV RNA in the blood. Viral load blood test results are expressed as the number of copies (of HIV) per milliliter of blood plasma. and CD4 cell count results are two of the main tests used to inform treatment decisions about starting or changing treatments. Usually every time you have regular blood tests a whole range of other tests are done. Some of these are useful in monitoring for possible drug side effects and potential organ damage. read more »

HAART on the heart

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 5 June 2009

Starting Highly Active AntiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. Therapy can improve some of the things that lead to heart problems but not all of them, a recent study has revealed. Arteries which are already thickened or hardened do not improve on treatment. Metabolic complications, including increases in blood levels of lipids, are common in people on treatment and can also contribute to this condition. read more »

ASHM 2008: Treatment side effects

Positive Living article • David Menadue • 25 November 2008

Abacavir should be avoided by people who are in the high cardiovascular risk group. read more »

Abacavir and heart attacks

Positive Living article • admin • 26 June 2008

Latest results presented by investigators at the CROI meeting in February in Boston suggested that treatment with abacavir (also found in the combination pills Kivexa and Trizivir) and ddI (didanosine, Videx) may significantly increase the risk of myocardial infarction, or heart attackA life-threatening emergency in which the blood supply to the heart is suddenly cut off, causing the heart muscle (myocardium) to die from lack of oxygen.. read more »

IAS 2007: Promising signs

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 15 October 2007

A major HIV/AIDS medical conference in Sydney has generated lots of news on the treatments front, reports Paul Kidd. read more »

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The table below shows all the clinical trials in the database with the keyword abacavir.

Short titleStatus
ALTAIR (Truvada for treatment-naive) Reported
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This Treatments database entry was first published on 26 May 2009 — more than two years ago.

While the content of this treatments database entry was checked for accuracy at the time of publication, NAPWA recommends checking to determine whether the information is the most up-to-date available, especially when making decisions which may affect your health.

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