Abacavir Sulfate
ABACAVIR SULFATE — abacavir sulfate tablet, film coated
State of Florida DOH Central Pharmacy
WARNING: RISK OF HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS, LACTIC ACIDOSIS, AND SEVERE HEPATOMEGALY
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Serious and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions have been associated with abacavir (abacavir sulfate).
Hypersensitivity to abacavir is a multi-organ clinical syndrome usually characterized by a sign or symptom in two or more of the following groups: (1) fever, (2) rash, (3) gastrointestinal (including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain), (4) constitutional (including generalized malaise, fatigue, or achiness), and (5) respiratory (including dyspnea, cough, or pharyngitis). Discontinue abacavir as soon as a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected.
Patients who carry the HLA-B*5701 allele are at high risk for experiencing a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir. Prior to initiating therapy with abacavir, screening for the HLA-B*5701 allele is recommended; this approach has been found to decrease the risk of hypersensitivity reaction. Screening is also recommended prior to reinitiation of abacavir in patients of unknown HLA-B*5701 status who have previously tolerated abacavir. HLA-B*5701-negative patients may develop a suspected hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir; however, this occurs significantly less frequently than in HLA-B*5701-positive patients.
Regardless of HLA-B*5701 status, permanently discontinue abacavir if hypersensitivity cannot be ruled out, even when other diagnoses are possible. Following a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir, NEVER restart abacavir tablets or any other abacavir-containing product because more severe symptoms can occur within hours and may include life threatening hypotension and death.
Reintroduction of abacavir tablets or any other abacavir-containing product, even in patients who have no identified history or unrecognized symptoms of hypersensitivity to abacavir therapy, can result in serious or fatal hypersensitivity reactions. Such reactions can occur within hours [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Lactic Acidosis and Severe Hepatomegaly: Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogues alone or in combination, including abacavir and other antiretrovirals [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Abacavir tablets, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, are indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection.
Additional important information on the use of abacavir tablets for treatment of HIV-1 infection:
- Abacavir tablets are one of multiple products containing abacavir. Before starting abacavir tablets, review medical history for prior exposure to any abacavir-containing product in order to avoid reintroduction in a patient with a history of hypersensitivity to abacavir [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Adverse Reactions (6)].
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
- A Medication Guide and Warning Card that provide information about recognition of hypersensitivity reactions should be dispensed with each new prescription and refill.
- Abacavir tablets may be taken with or without food.
2.1 Adult Patients
The recommended oral dose of abacavir tablets for adults is 600 mg daily, administered as either 300 mg twice daily or 600 mg once daily, in combination with other antiretroviral agents.
2.2 Pediatric Patients
The recommended oral dose of abacavir oral solution in HIV-1-infected pediatric patients aged 3 months and older is 8 mg/kg twice daily (up to a maximum of 300 mg twice daily) in combination with other antiretroviral agents.
Abacavir 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) | Dosage Regimen Using Scored Tablet | TotalDaily Dose | |
| AM Dose | PM Dose | ||
| 14 to 21 | ½ tablet (150 mg) | ½ tablet (150 mg) | 300 mg |
| > 21 to < 30 | ½ tablet (150 mg) | 1 tablet (300 mg) | 450 mg |
| ≥ 30 | 1 tablet (300 mg) | 1 tablet (300 mg) | 600 mg |
2.3 Patients with Hepatic Impairment
The recommended dose of abacavir tablets in patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score 5 to 6) 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 tablets are contraindicated in these patients.
3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
Abacavir Tablets, USP are available containing abacavir sulfate, USP equivalent to 300 mg of abacavir.
The 300 mg tablets are peach film-coated, capsule shaped, scored tablets debossed with M on one side of the score and 120 on the other side of the score on one side of the tablet and blank on the other side.
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS
Abacavir tablets are contraindicated in patients with:
- previously demonstrated hypersensitivity to abacavir or any other component of the products. NEVER restart abacavir tablets or any other abacavir-containing product following a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir, regardless of HLA-B*5701 status [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Adverse Reactions (6)].
- moderate or severe hepatic impairment [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
5.1 Hypersensitivity Reaction
Serious and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions have been associated with abacavir tablets and other abacavir-containing products. Patients who carry the HLA-B*5701 allele are at high risk for experiencing a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir. Prior to initiating therapy with abacavir, screening for the HLA-B*5701 allele is recommended; this approach has been found to decrease the risk of a hypersensitivity reaction. Screening is also recommended prior to reinitiation of abacavir in patients of unknown HLA-B*5701 status who have previously tolerated abacavir. For HLA-B*5701-positive patients, treatment with an abacavir-containing regimen is not recommended and should be considered only with close medical supervision and under exceptional circumstances when the potential benefit outweighs the risk.
HLA-B*5701-negative patients may develop a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir; however, this occurs significantly less frequently than in HLA-B*5701-positive patients. Regardless of HLA-B*5701 status, permanently discontinue abacavir if hypersensitivity cannot be ruled out, even when other diagnoses are possible.
Important information on signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity, as well as clinical management, is presented below.
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