Abacavir is an HIV medicine that can stop the virus from multiplying when used with other drugs. It works fast and is part of many effective treatment plans.
Before starting abacavir you need a simple genetic test called HLA-B57:01. That test finds people at risk for a serious allergy. If the test is positive your doctor will pick a different drug.
Watch for symptoms in the first six weeks. Fever, rash, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, or trouble breathing can be signs. If any of these start stop abacavir right away and get medical help. Do not ever take abacavir again if it caused a bad reaction.
Typical dosing comes in fixed tablets combined with other antiretrovirals. Many people take the combination once daily, but follow the exact schedule your clinic gives. Missing doses can let the virus rebound and make the medicine less effective.
Common side effects are headache, nausea, sleepiness, and stomach upset. These often pass after a few weeks. More serious problems are rare but include liver trouble. Tell your provider about new symptoms and about other medicines you take.
Abacavir is mainly cleared by the liver so you usually do not need dose changes for kidney disease. If you have severe liver disease your doctor may pick a different option or monitor you more closely.
Drug interactions are fewer than with some HIV drugs but still matter. Be open about prescription medicines, over the counter drugs, supplements, and street drugs. Your pharmacist can check interactions and suggest safe combinations.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are questions many people ask. Abacavir has been used in pregnancy to lower the chance of passing HIV to the baby. Talk to your clinician for the best plan for you and your child.
Simple steps make treatment work better. Use pill boxes or phone alarms, keep clinic visits, and get regular blood tests to watch viral load and side effects. Carry a note saying you take abacavir so medical teams know in an emergency.
If you have doubts about side effects, tests, or starting and stopping treatment, ask your healthcare team. They can run HLA testing, review other medicines, and help set a routine that fits your life.
The reaction usually starts in the first six weeks and includes fever and rash plus one or more other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, severe tiredness, or breathing trouble. These can come on slowly or quickly. If you think you have this reaction stop the drug and get urgent care. Do not restart the medicine under any circumstances without advice from a specialist.
Keep a list of your medicines and share it at every visit. If you travel, pack enough supply and the prescription. If a clinic or pharmacy offers the HLA test, get it before changing therapy. Talk about vaccines and other infections, since controlling HIV helps the whole immune system. Your healthcare team is the best place for personalized advice always.
