About abacavir sulphate
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)
Used for
- Treats HIV infection, always alongside other antiretroviral medicines.
Usual adult dose
300 mg twice daily or 600 mg once daily.
Usual dose in children
For children aged 3 months or older, dosing is weight-based, usually 8 mg/kg twice daily, maximum 300 mg per dose.
Common side effects
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea
- Headache or tiredness
- Fever or rash
- Rare, potentially fatal hypersensitivity reaction
Important warnings
- Hypersensitivity can occur at any time; stop immediately if suspected and never restart.
- People with HLA-B*5701 are at greatly increased hypersensitivity risk; testing is recommended before treatment.
- Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, severe rash, or symptoms affecting multiple body systems.
- Abacavir does not prevent HIV transmission; use effective prevention measures.
Pregnancy
Can be used during pregnancy when clinically appropriate; treatment should be managed by an HIV specialist.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is generally not recommended for people with HIV, including those taking abacavir.
Interactions
- Alcohol can increase abacavir exposure.
- Methadone levels may decrease; monitoring may be needed.
- Do not use with medicines containing abacavir or emtricitabine.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.