Abacavir
ABACAVIR- abacavir sulfate tablet, film coated
Cipla USA Inc.
WARNING HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS
Serious and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions, with multiple organ involvement, have occurred with abacavir sulfate.
Patients who carry the HLA-B*5701 allele are at a higher risk of a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir; although, hypersensitivity reactions have occurred in patients who do not carry the HLA-B*5701 allele [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Abacavir is contraindicated in patients with a prior hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir and in HLA-B*5701-positive patients [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. All patients should be screened for the HLA-B*5701 allele prior to initiating therapy with abacavir or reinitiation of therapy with abacavir, unless patients have a previously documented HLA-B*5701 allele assessment. Discontinue abacavir tablets immediately if a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, regardless of HLA-B*5701 status and even when other diagnoses are possible [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Following a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir, NEVER restart abacavir tablets or any other abacavir-containing product because more severe symptoms, including death can occur within hours. Similar severe reactions have also occurred rarely following the reintroduction of abacavir-containing products in patients who have no history of abacavir hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Abacavir tablets USP 300 mg, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, are indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection.
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
2.1 Screening for HLA-B*5701 Allele prior to Starting Abacavir tablets
Screen for the HLA-B*5701 allele prior to initiating therapy with abacavir tablets [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
2.2 Recommended Dosage for Adults Patients
The recommended dosage of abacavir sulfate for adults is 600 mg daily, administered orally as either 300 mg twice daily or 600 mg once daily, in combination with other antiretroviral agents.
2.3 Recommended Dosage for Pediatric Patients
The recommended dosage of abacavir sulfate in HIV-1-infected pediatric patients aged 3 months and older is 8 mg per kg orally twice daily or 16 mg per kg orally once-daily (up to a maximum of 600 mg daily) in combination with other antiretroviral agents.
Abacavir tablet is also available as a scored tablet for HIV-1-infected pediatric patients weighing greater than or equal to 14 kg for whom a solid dosage form is appropriate. Before prescribing abacavir tablets, children should be assessed for the ability to swallow tablets. If a child is unable to reliably swallow abacavir tablets, the oral solution formulation should be prescribed. The recommended oral dosage of abacavir tablets for HIV-1-infected pediatric patients is presented in Table 1.
| ||||
| Weight (kg) | Once-Daily Dosing Regimen * | Twice-Daily Dosing Regimen | ||
| AM Dose | PM Dose | Total Daily Dose | ||
| 14 to <20 | 1 tablet (300 mg) | ½ tablet (150 mg) | ½ tablet (150 mg) | 300 mg |
| ≥20 to <25 | 1½ tablets (450 mg) | ½ tablet (150 mg) | 1 tablet (300 mg) | 450 mg |
| ≥25 | 2 tablets (600 mg) | 1 tablet (300 mg) | 1 tablet (300 mg) | 600 mg |
2.4 Recommended Dosage for Patients with Hepatic Impairment
The recommended dose of abacavir sulfate in patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A) is 200 mg twice daily. To enable dose reduction, abacavir oral solution (10 mL twice daily) should be used for the treatment of these patients. The safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic properties of abacavir have not been established in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment; therefore, abacavir sulfate is contraindicated in these patients.
3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
Abacavir tablets contain 300 mg of abacavir as abacavir sulfate. The tablets are yellow coloured, capsule shaped, biconvex, film coated, having scoreline on both sides with “5” and “14” debossed on either side of scoreline on one side.
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS
Abacavir tablet is contraindicated in patients:
- who have the HLA-B*5701 allele [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
- with prior hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
- with moderate or severe hepatic impairment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions
Serious and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions have occurred with abacavir sulfate. These hypersensitivity reactions have included multi-organ failure and anaphylaxis and typically occurred within the first 6 weeks of treatment with abacavir sulfate (median time to onset was 9 days); although abacavir hypersensitivity reactions have occurred any time during treatment [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Patients who carry the HLA-B*5701 allele are at a higher risk of abacavir hypersensitivity reactions; although, patients who do not carry the HLA-B*5701 allele have developed hypersensitivity reactions. Hypersensitivity to abacavir was reported in approximately 206 (8%) of 2,670 patients in 9 clinical trials with abacavir-containing products where HLA-B*5701 screening was not performed. The incidence of suspected abacavir hypersensitivity reactions in clinical trials was 1% when subjects carrying the HLA-B*5701 allele were excluded. In any patient treated with abacavir, the clinical diagnosis of hypersensitivity reaction must remain the basis of clinical decision making.
Due to the potential for severe, serious, and possibly fatal hypersensitivity reactions with abacavir sulfate:
- All patients should be screened for the HLA-B*5701 allele prior to initiating therapy with abacavir tablets or reinitiation of therapy with abacavir tablets, unless patients have a previously documented HLA-B*5701 allele assessment.
- Abacavir tablet is contraindicated in patients with a prior hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir and in HLA-B*5701-positive patients.
- Before starting abacavir tablets, review medical history for prior exposure to any abacavir-containing product. NEVER restart abacavir tablets or any other abacavir-containing product following a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir, regardless of HLA-B*5701 status.
- To reduce the risk of a life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction, regardless of HLA-B*5701 status, discontinue abacavir tablets immediately if a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, even when other diagnoses are possible (e.g., acute onset respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, pharyngitis, or influenza; gastroenteritis; or reactions to other medications).
- If a hypersensitivity reaction cannot be ruled out, do not restart abacavir tablets or any other abacavir-containing products because more severe symptoms which may include life-threatening hypotension and death, can occur within hours.
- If a hypersensitivity reaction is ruled out, patients may restart abacavir tablets. Rarely, patients who have stopped abacavir for reasons other than symptoms of hypersensitivity have also experienced life-threatening reactions within hours of reinitiating abacavir therapy. Therefore, reintroduction of abacavir tablets or any other abacavir-containing product is recommended only if medical care can be readily accessed.
- A Medication Guide and Warning Card that provide information about recognition of hypersensitivity reactions should be dispensed with each new prescription and refill.
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