Abacavir Sulfate(ah bak’ ah veer)
Ziagen
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug Classes
Antiviral
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
Therapeutic Actions
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor; obstructs RNA and DNA synthesis and inhibits viral reproduction. Used in combination with other anti-HIV drugs to reduce the viral load as low as possible and decrease the chance of further viral mutation. Thought to cross the blood–brain barrier and be effective in the treatment of HIV-related dementia. There are no long-term studies on the effectiveness of this drug.
Indications
Treatment of HIV-1 infection in combination with other antiretrovirals
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with life-threatening allergy or hypersensitivity to any component, moderate to severe hepatic impairment, lactation.
Use cautiously with mild hepatic impairment, lactic acidosis, pregnancy.
Available Forms
Tablets—300 mg; oral solution—20 mg/mL
Dosages
Adults
300 mg PO bid or 600 mg PO once daily.
Adults with mild hepatic impairment
200 mg PO bid (solution).
Pediatric patients 3 mo–16 yr
8 mg/kg PO bid; do not exceed 300 mg/dose.
Pediatric patients younger than 3 mo
Not recommended.
Pharmacokinetics
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