Abacavir Sulphate

It is a carbocyclic synthetic nucleoside analogue. Intracellularly, it is converted by cellular enzymes to the active metabolite, carbovir triphosphate. Carbovir triphospahte inhibitis the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) both by competing with the natural substrate dGTP and by its incorporation into viral DNA. The lack of a 3-OH group in the incorporated nucleoside analogue prevents the formation of the 5 to 3 phosphodiester linkage essential for DNA chain elongation and therefore, the viral DNA growth is terminated..

Indications

In combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infections.

Dosage

Adults : 300mg twice daily in combination with other antiretrovirals. Adolescent and paediatric patients: Dosage for patients between 3 months to 16 years is 8mg/kg twice daily (up to a maximum of 300mg twice daily).

Contra-Indications

It has been associated with fatal hypersensitivity reactions. Hence should not be restarted after any hypersensitivity reaction occurs with abacavir..

Special Precautions

Should always be used in combination with other antiretroviral agents.

Side Effects

Hypersensitivity reactions (fever, skin, rash, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal pain pharyngitis, dyspnoea or cough).

Drug Interactions

Ethanol, no clinically significant effect with methadone.