Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine (Dec 2009)

Abacavir: it’s use and hypersensitivity

  • Helena Rabie,
  • Kristin Lorenc Henning,
  • Pierre Schoeman,
  • Nico de Villiers,
  • G HJ Pretorius,
  • Mark F Cotton

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhivmed.v10i4.265
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 4

Abstract

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Abacavir, a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is useful in first and second line therapy as well as a substitute for Stavudine and Zidovudine for toxicity. Although safe and well tolerated, a life threatening hypersensitivity reaction can occur. The risk for developing this reaction relates to the presence of specific genotypes especially HLA-B*5701.