Risks Of Abacavir

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Get the Facts

Abacavir (Ziagen)

Recently, researchers found that a simple blood test can identify patients who might develop the abacavir hypersensitivity reaction. The blood test looks for the HLA-B*5701 gene. This genetic test is now recommended by the FDA before prescribing abacavir. If this test comes back positive, you should add abacavir to the list of medications you are allergic to. If you have a hypersensitivity reaction, the symptoms will get worse each time you take...

Ask the Experts

Abacavir and heart attacks

Hi Dr.: I've been on meds for 12 years. I've never been detectable, although I was a little over 100K before starting treatment. I'm now on Sustiva and Epzicom.I'm 55 and my Framington risk is 8. Should I consider switching from...

Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Rocky Mountain CARES

Thanks for your post.A Framingham score of 8, means that you have a 8% chance risk of having a heart attack within the next ten years. The data from the recent DAD study suggests that this risk may increase to about 16% if one is currently taking... Read more »

Abacavir - Coronary Disease

Is there there any connection between Abacavir and Coronary disease? And if so what advice is the manufacturer currently offering?...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

Recent data from the DAD study noted an increased risk for a heart attack in patients that were taking abacavir within the preceding 6 months. The overall risk for a heart attack was small and concentrated among persons at high risk for a heart... Read more »

Abacavir and heart problems

Hi,I've been on Sustiva (efavirenz) and Kivexa (3TC and abacavir) for 18 months. I'm doing really well (undetectable, CD4 = 600) and have no side effects of note. I'm 5'10", 175lbs,57 yrs old, exercise, have low cholesterol...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

For patients at low risk for cardiovascular disease (often assessed by using the Framingham risk calculator equation) the potential increased relative risk from using abacavir versus tenofovir is quite small and of borderline clinical significance... Read more »

Another Abacavir Question

After being diagnosed HIV+ in Jan of 2006 I started meds in April of 2006 with a CD4 count of 520 and 12% and a VL of 66,0000. I was on sustiva and epzicom. After 10 days I started having leg pain that increased singificantly until day 17 when my...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

Leg pain by itself would be an unusual manifestation of abacavir hypersensitivity though it is still possible. If I were to consider trying abacavir again I would get an HLA B5701 test and if + would not try abacavir whereas if negative might... Read more »

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Connect With Others

Abacavir - Hypersensitivity - EPZICOM

Posted by Survivor, 2 Replies

David, I read your Email and brought the PDF forward. Dr. Ben was very watchful when I initially got started and had follow up calls to me regarding any problems if in deed I was blinded on the Abacavir. Either I am on it and am fine or I am not... Read more »

Abacavir,viramune,viread

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

I'm on day 4 of my new combo Abacavir,viramune,viread, epivir and it totally sucks. I feel lousy all of the time. Is this typical when starting this combo? This is my 4th combo since diagnosis...

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AbacavirLamivudine to treat HIV infection.

Posted by jenniferdraper

AbacavirLamivudine is used to treat HIV infection. This combination medication is used with other medications. It belongs to a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Read more »

Aetna & Ziagen aka Abacavir

Posted by wtxgringo, 1 Reply

So now Aetna has switched over to a generic form of Abacavir from the brand name Ziagen and while I've been getting the Rx for over 6 years from Aetna RX Home Delivery, this months refill was cancelled with the note that Abacavir is now a... Read more »

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