Abacavir
Abacavir is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used with other antiretrovirals to treat HIV Infection. It can cause a potentially fatal hypersensitivity reaction linked strongly to HLA-B*5701.
Key points
- HLA-B*5701 screening is required before starting abacavir; a positive result means abacavir should not be used.
- Fever, rash, digestive symptoms, severe tiredness or breathing symptoms in more than one symptom group can indicate hypersensitivity.
- After suspected abacavir hypersensitivity, never restart an abacavir-containing product because a repeat reaction can be rapid and fatal.
Listings are for comparison and general information, not an HIV regimen; suitability and supply depend on an HIV clinician, pharmacy checks, genetic testing, the full combination product and prescription requirements.
What abacavir is used for
Abacavir is part of combination HIV Management and is not used alone. Some listed products may contain abacavir with other antiretrovirals, so every active ingredient and its interactions must be reviewed.
How abacavir works
Inside cells, abacavir is converted to an active form that competes with natural DNA building blocks and stops HIV reverse transcriptase from extending viral DNA. Ongoing combination treatment suppresses replication but does not eliminate HIV.
Important safety checks
Confirm documented HLA-B*5701 status and any previous reaction to abacavir. Liver disease, cardiovascular risk and interactions in the complete regimen also require review. Carry or retain the product’s hypersensitivity warning information and do not share treatment.
When to seek urgent care
Stop the medicine and obtain immediate medical advice if hypersensitivity is suspected, following the treating team’s emergency plan. Emergency symptoms include breathing difficulty, facial swelling, collapse or a rapidly worsening multi-system reaction. Do not restart unless an HIV specialist has definitively excluded hypersensitivity.