What are the most important things to know about abacavir?
Abacavir hypersensitivity reactions, the most prominent of all side effects of Abacavir
Abacavir has been associated with serious and occasionally deadly hypersensitivity responses involving numerous organs. These reactions have happened in patients using the medication.
Those who have the HLA-B5701 allele are at a greater risk of developing a hypersensitivity response to abacavir; nevertheless, hypersensitivity reactions have also occurred in individuals who do not have the HLA-B5701 allele.
Abacavir is contraindicated in individuals who have had a previous hypersensitivity response to abacavir, as well as in patients who have the HLA-B5701 antigen. The HLA-B5701 allele should be assessed in all patients before starting or restarting antiretroviral treatment, with the exception of individuals who have previously recorded results from an HLA-B5701 allele evaluation. If a hypersensitive response is suspected, discontinue abacavir immediately, regardless of whether the patient has the HLA-B5701 antigen or if alternative diagnosis are conceivable.
It is important to never resume abacavir or any other abacavir-containing product after experiencing a hypersensitive response to it since more severe symptoms, including death, may develop within hours. Abacavir-containing medicines have been reintroduced in individuals who have no history of abacavir hypersensitivity, and similar severe responses have occurred in a small number of those patients as well.
What is abacavir?
What should I do if I forget a dose of Abacavir?
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
- If you are not sure what to do if you miss a dose, call your doctor.
What side effects can abacavir cause?
Can you take Abacavir while breastfeeding?
Abacavir is found in small amounts in breast milk.
Following exposure to abacavir via breast milk, abacavir was found in the serum of a baby.
Human Services perinatal HIV guidelines do not recommend breastfeeding for patients who are living with HIV.
Can you take Abacavir while pregnant?
Abacavir has a high rate of moving through the placentas.
According to data gathered by the antiretroviral pregnancy registry, no higher risk of overall teratogenic consequences has been found after first trimester exposure. It is possible that maternal antiretroviral treatment (ART) is linked with poor pregnancy outcomes such as preterm delivery, stillbirth, low birth weight, and babies born too small for their gestational age.
How to take Abacavir?
Oral: 300 mg twice daily or 600 mg once daily in combination with other antiretroviral agents.
Don’t prescribe Abacavir for yourself, family or friends. Always seek the help of healthcare professionals and care givers.
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