Abacavir (Ziagen) 300mg
Antiviral drug Abacavir (ABC) is the most powerful nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NARTI) used to treat HIV and AIDS. Viral strains that are resistant to zidovudine (AZT) or lamivudine (3TC) are generally sensitive to abacavir.
Trade name
- Ziagen (GlaxoSmithKline)
combination formulations
- Trizivir (abacavir, zidovudine and lamivudine)
- Kivexa/Epzicom(abacavir and lamivudine) .
It has been well tolerated: the main side effect is hypersensitivity, which can be severe, and in rare cases, fatal. Genetic testing can indicate whether an individual will be hypersensitive; over 90% of patients can safely take abacavir. However, in a separate study, in 90% of patients, the risk of heart attack has increased
