• HIV infection in combination with other antiretroviral:
    • Adults & children >12 yrs: PO 300mg BD OR 600mg OD
    • *<1 month(Off-label): PO 4mg/kg/day solution divided BD
      • Max: 600mg/day
    • *1-2 month (Off-label): PO 8mg/kg/day solution divided BD
      • Max: 600mg/day
    • >3 months and older (<20 kg): PO 16mg/kg/day solution divided OD/ BD
      • Max: 600mg/day
    • >3 months and older (20-24kg): PO 16mg/kg/day solution divided OD/ BD OR 450 mg PO OD; 150mg AM, 300mg PM
      • Max: 600 mg/day
    • >3 months and older (>25 kg): PO 16 mg/kg/day solution divided OD/ BD OR PO 300mg BD
  • Tablet: 300mg
  • Suspension: 20mg/mL
  • Can be taken with or without food

Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)

It inhibits reverse transcriptase and incorporates into viral DNA, resulting in DNA chain termination

  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Vomiting
  • Hypersensitivity reaction
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Rigors
  • Depression
  • Rash
  • Anxiety
  • URI
  • Elevated ALT/AST
  • Hypertriglyceridemia
  • Breastfeeding
  • End stage renal disease
  • Hereditary fructose intolerance
  • Moderate-severe hepatic impairment

WARNING:

  • Severe hypersensitivity reactions have occurred. Should NEVER be restarted after any hypersensitivity reaction involving abacavir

None restricted

                                   Drug Status

Availability Prescription only
Pregnancy Benefit outweigh risk
Breastfeeding Not indicated
Schedule Not controlled
BRAND STRENGTH FORMULATION PACK SIZE MANUFACTURER DISTRIBUTOR
Abacavir 20mg/mL Suspension 200mL Hetero Labs Unisel Ltd
Abacavir 300mg Tablet 60’s Hetero Labs Unisel Ltd
Abacavir 300mg Tablet 200mL Mylan Labs C/O Surgilinks Ltd Surgilinks Ltd
Ziagen 300mg Tablet 60’s GSK Ltd GSK Ltd
Ziagen 20mg/mL Suspension 200mL GSK Ltd GSK Ltd