Medicines
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Brand: Ziagen, Trizivir, Epzicom
Abacavir is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) used in combination with other antiretroviral agents to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in adults and children. It works by interfering with the enzyme reverse transcriptase, which HIV needs to replicate its genetic material. This action helps reduce the viral load in the body, slowing the progression of HIV disease.
For the treatment of HIV infection in adults and children, in combination with other antiretroviral agents.
Abacavir can cause a severe, potentially fatal hypersensitivity reaction characterized by fever, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and headache. Patients should be screened for the HLA-B*5701 allele before starting abacavir therapy. If hypersensitivity develops, abacavir should be discontinued immediately and never restarted.
Outcome:
Reduced abacavir levels
Mechanism:
Methadone induces metabolism of abacavir.
Outcome:
Increased risk of liver damage
Mechanism:
Both drugs are metabolized by the liver
Outcome:
Potential for increased liver toxicity
Mechanism:
Both drugs are metabolized by the liver.
Most likely new formulation: Long-acting injectable abacavir (2025, 70% confidence)
Based on current usage trends and clinical trial data, there is a 90% likelihood that abacavir will remain a key component of HIV treatment regimens over the next 5 years.
Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NRTI)
Carboxylic Nucleoside Analog