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
Abacavir tablets are available as 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.
Table 1. Dosing Recommendations for Abacavir Scored Tablets in Pediatric Patients
Weight
(kg)
Twice-daily Dosing Regimen
AM Dose
PM Dose
Total
Daily Dose
14 to <20
½ tablet
(150 mg)
½ tablet
(150 mg)
300 mg
>20 to <25
½ tablet
(150 mg)
1 tablet
(300 mg)
450 mg
≥25
1 tablet
(300 mg)
1 tablet
(300 mg)
600 mg
Additional pediatric use information for patients aged 3 months and above is approved for ViiV Healthcare Company’s ZIAGEN® (abacavir sulfate) tablets. However, due to ViiV Healthcare Company’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that pediatric information.
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 sulfate 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.