1 May 2026Oral drugsSource update: October 2024
Abacavir = ABC oral
Oral abacavir guidance for HIV treatment in combination with other antiretrovirals, including weight-based fixed-dose combination dosing.
Prescription under medical supervision
This guide page is for structured reference only and does not replace a clinician, pharmacist, or emergency review. Dose choice, route choice, interactions, and safety decisions still need professional judgment.
Therapeutic action
Antiretroviral, HIV nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.
Indications
HIV infection, in combination with other antiretrovirals.
Forms and strengths
- Fixed-dose combinations with lamivudine (3TC).
- 120 mg abacavir/60 mg lamivudine breakable and dispersible tablet.
- 600 mg abacavir/300 mg lamivudine tablet.
Dose
The daily dose can be administered once daily or in 2 divided doses.
Child 1 month and over and adult
- 3 to < 6 kg: 120/60 mg, 1/2 tablet 2 times daily or 1 tablet once daily.
- 6 to < 10 kg: 180/90 mg, 1/2 tablet in the morning and 1 tablet in the evening, or 1 1/2 tablets once daily.
- 10 to < 14 kg: 240/120 mg, 1 tablet 2 times daily or 2 tablets once daily.
- 14 to < 20 kg: 300/150 mg, 1 tablet in the morning and 1 1/2 tablets in the evening, or 2 1/2 tablets once daily.
- 20 to < 25 kg: 360/180 mg, 1 1/2 tablets 2 times daily or 3 tablets once daily.
- >= 25 kg: 600/300 mg, 1 tablet once daily.
| Weight | Daily dose ABC/3TC | 120/60 mg tablet | 600/300 mg tablet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 to < 6 kg | 120/60 mg | 1/2 tab x 2 or 1 tab x 1 | - |
| 6 to < 10 kg | 180/90 mg | 1/2 tab morning and 1 tab evening or 1 1/2 tab x 1 | - |
| 10 to < 14 kg | 240/120 mg | 1 tab x 2 or 2 tab x 1 | - |
| 14 to < 20 kg | 300/150 mg | 1 tab morning and 1 1/2 tab evening or 2 1/2 tab x 1 | - |
| 20 to < 25 kg | 360/180 mg | 1 1/2 tab x 2 or 3 tab x 1 | - |
| >= 25 kg | 600/300 mg | - | 1 tab x 1 |
Duration
Depending on the efficacy and tolerance of abacavir.
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer to patients with severe hepatic impairment or a history of hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir that led to discontinuation of treatment.
- Administer with caution to patients with hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidaemia because treatment might increase the risk of coronary disease.
- May cause hypersensitivity reactions with fever, rash, gastrointestinal disturbances, pharyngitis, cough, dyspnoea, malaise, headache, lethargy, myalgia, and arthralgia.
- May also cause lactic acidosis, pancreatitis, and hepatic disorders.
- In all of these cases, stop taking abacavir immediately and permanently.
- Pregnancy: no contra-indication.
Source
MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)
This page reproduces the structured reference information for this batch while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections.
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