What Is Abacavir Used For

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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...

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Loss of fat in buttocks possibly due to Abacavir?

I'm currently taking Sustiva, Videx, and Abacavir. I was switched to Abacavir four months ago from Zerit after experiencing Lactic Acidosis. I soon noticed that my buttocks had shrunk and my doctor said it was probably from the Zerit and that...

Response from Alvan Fisher, M.D.

Brown University School of Medicine

Wish we knew the answers. Any antiretroviral may be associated with fat wasting; especially the nucleosides. You have taken zerit, videx and abacavir: all nucleosides. We do not know why this occurs, why this occurs in some but not others, why some... Read more »

Resistance abacavir/efavirenz?

Could it be some resistance between abacavir and sustiva?Thank you for your answer....

Response from Cal Cohen, M.D., M.S.

Harvard Medical School

Well... not clear what exactly you mean. But let me take a guess...These meds are from two different classes of antivirals. Abac is a nucleoside, and sustiva is a non-nucleoside. As a result of being in two different classes, when/if HIV has a... Read more »

abacavir and alcohol

hi there, i have been reading alot of good things about abacavir in regards to potentially limiting lipodystrophy. my question has to do with using abacavir and enjoying the occasional alcoholic drink.I know we probabaly should not consume any...

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

Rocky Mountain CARES

Alcohol in moderation should not be a problem, as far as I'm concerned. BY... Read more »

what to substitute for abacavir?

Aetna isn't covering Abacavir any longer, what's a suitable alternative?...

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

Rocky Mountain CARES

Hello and thanks for posting.I've not heard of this before- according to the most current<a href="http://www.aetna.com/products/rxnonmedicare/data/2012/ID2012/antiviral-hiv_2012.html" target=_new>AETNA </a> website,... Read more »

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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 »

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 »

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