Abacavir ( ABC ) is a nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) used to treat HIV and AIDS . It is available under the trade name Ziagen ( GlaxoSmithKline ) and in the combination formulations Trizivir (abacavir, zidovudine and lamivudine ) and Kivexa / Epzicom (abacavir and lamivudine) . more

Abacavir ( ABC ) is a nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) used to treat HIV and AIDS . It is available under the trade name Ziagen ( GlaxoSmithKline ) and in the combination formulations Trizivir (abacavir, zidovudine and lamivudine ) and Kivexa / Epzicom (abacavir and lamivudine) . It has been well tolerated: the main side effect is hypersensitivity , which can be severe, and in rare cases, fatal. Genetic testing can indicate whether an individual will be hypersensitive; over 90% of patients can safely take abacavir. However, in a separate study, in 90% of patients, the risk of heart attack has increased. [ 1 ] less