Abacavirdosage

Before initiating abacavir, screen for the HLA-B*5701 allele.

Adults: 600 mg daily, administered as either 300 mg twice daily or 600 mg once daily. Pediatric Patients Aged 3 Months and Older: Administered either once or twice daily. Dose should be calculated on body weight (kg) and should not exceed 600 mg daily.

Patients with Hepatic Impairment: Mild hepatic impairment – 200 mg twice daily.

2.1 Screening for HLA-B*5701

Allele prior to Starting Abacavir Tablets Screen for the HLA-B*5701 allele prior to initiating therapy with abacavir tablets.

2.2 Recommended

Dosage for Adult Patients The recommended dosage of abacavir tablets for adults is 600 mg daily, administered orally as either 300 mg twice daily or 600 mg once daily, in combination with other antiretroviral agents.

2.3 Recommended

Dosage for 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) Once-Daily Dosing Regimen Data regarding the efficacy of once-daily dosing is limited to subjects who transitioned from twice-daily dosing to once-daily dosing after 36 weeks of treatment. Twice-Daily Dosing Regimen AM Dose PM Dose Total Daily Dose 14 to <20 1 tablet (300 mg) ½ tablet (150 mg) ½ tablet (150 mg) 300 mg > 20 to <25 1½ tablets (450 mg) ½ tablet (150 mg) 1 tablet (300 mg) 450 mg ≥ 25 2 tablets (600 mg) 1 tablet (300 mg) 1 tablet (300 mg) 600 mg

2.4 Recommended

Dosage for Patients with Hepatic Impairment The recommended dose of abacavir tablets in patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A) is 200 mg twice daily. To enable dose reduction, abacavir 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.