ABACAVIR- abacavir tablet, film coated
Avera McKennan Hospital
----------
HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATIONThese highlights do not include all the information needed to use ABACAVIR TABLETS safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for ABACAVIR TABLETS.
ABACAVIR tablets, for oral use Initial U.S. Approval: 1998 WARNING: HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS, and LACTIC ACIDOSIS AND SEVERE HEPATOMEGALYSee full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.Hypersensitivity Reactions
Lactic Acidosis and Severe Hepatomegaly with Steatosis
RECENT MAJOR CHANGESBoxed Warning 09/2015 Indications and Usage ( 1) 09/2015 Dosage and Administration, Screening for HLA-B*5701 09/2015 Allele Prior to Starting Abacavir ( 2.1) Dosage and Administration, Recommended Dosage for 03/2015 Pediatric Patients ( 2.3) Contraindications ( 4) 09/2015 Warnings and Precautions, Hypersensitivity Reactions ( 5.1) 09/2015 Warnings and Precautions, Related Products that are Not 03/2015 Recommended ( 5.6) INDICATIONS AND USAGEAbacavir tablets, a nucleoside analogue human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase inhibitor, are indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. ( 1) DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHSTablets: 300 mg scored (3) CONTRAINDICATIONSWARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONSADVERSE REACTIONS
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. at 1-866-850-2876 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. DRUG INTERACTIONS
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
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.
See 17 for PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION and Medication Guide. Revised: 3/2017 |
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Serious and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions, with multiple
organ involvement, have occurred with abacavir.
Patients who carry the HLA-B
*5701 allele are at a higher risk of a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir; although, hypersensitivity reactions have occurred in patients who do not carry the HLA-B
*5701 allele
[see
Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Abacavir is contraindicated in patients with a prior hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir and in HLA-B*5701-positive patients
[see
Contraindications (4),
Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
. All patients should be screened for the HLA-B*5701 allele prior to initiating therapy with abacavir or reinitiation of therapy with abacavir, unless patients have a previously documented HLA-B*5701 allele assessment. Discontinue abacavir immediately if a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, regardless of HLA-B*5701 status and even when other diagnoses are possible
[see
Contraindications (4),
Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Following a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir, NEVER restart abacavir or any other abacavir-containing product because more severe symptoms, including death can occur within hours. Similar severe reactions have also occurred rarely following the reintroduction of abacavir-containing products in patients who have no history of abacavir hypersensitivity
[see
Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
.
Lactic Acidosis and Severe Hepatomegaly with Steatosis
Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogues and other antiretrovirals. Discontinue abacavir if clinical or laboratory findings suggestive of lactic acidosis or pronounced hepatotoxicity occur
[see
Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
.
Abacavir tablets, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. Abacavir tablets, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, are indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection.
Screen for the HLA-B*5701 allele prior to initiating therapy abacavir tablets . Screen for the HLA-B*5701 allele prior to initiating therapy with abacavir tablets [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] .
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.
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 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. 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.
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.
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.
Abacavir tablets, containing abacavir sulfate equivalent to 300 mg abacavir, are yellow colored, biconvex, capsule shaped, coated tablet, debossed with ‘D’ and ‘88’ on either side of the score line on one side and plain with a score line on other side.
Abacavir tablets are in patients: Abacavir tablets are contraindicated in patients:
Serious and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions have occurred with abacavir. These hypersensitivity reactions have included multi-organ failure and anaphylaxis and typically occurred within the first 6 weeks of treatment with abacavir (median time to onset was 9 days); although abacavir hypersensitivity reactions have occurred any time during treatment
. Patients who carry the HLA-B*5701 allele are at a higher risk of
hypersensitivity reactions; although, patients who do not carry the HLA-B*5701 allele have developed hypersensitivity reactions. Hypersensitivity to abacavir was reported in approximately 206 (8%) of 2,670 patients in 9 clinical trials with abacavir-containing products where HLA-B*5701 screening was not performed. The incidence of suspected abacavir hypersensitivity reactions in clinical trials was 1% when subjects carrying the HLA-B*5701 allele were excluded. In any patient treated with abacavir, the clinical diagnosis of hypersensitivity reaction must remain the basis of clinical decision making.
Due to the potential for severe, serious, and possibly fatal hypersensitivity reactions with abacavir:
Serious and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions have occurred with abacavir. These hypersensitivity reactions have included multi-organ failure and anaphylaxis and typically occurred within the first 6 weeks of treatment with abacavir (median time to onset was 9 days); although abacavir hypersensitivity reactions have occurred any time during treatment
[see
Adverse Reactions (6.1)]
. Patients who carry the HLA-B*5701 allele are at a higher risk of
abacavir hypersensitivity reactions; although, patients who do not carry the HLA-B*5701 allele have developed hypersensitivity reactions. Hypersensitivity to abacavir was reported in approximately 206 (8%) of 2,670 patients in 9 clinical trials with abacavir-containing products where HLA-B*5701 screening was not performed. The incidence of suspected abacavir hypersensitivity reactions in clinical trials was 1% when subjects carrying the HLA-B*5701 allele were excluded. In any patient treated with abacavir, the clinical diagnosis of hypersensitivity reaction must remain the basis of clinical decision making.
Due to the potential for severe, serious, and possibly fatal hypersensitivity reactions with abacavir:
Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogues and other antiretrovirals. A majority of these cases have been in women. Obesity and prolonged nucleoside exposure may be risk factors. Caution should be exercised when administering abacavir to any patient with known risk factors for liver disease; however, cases have also been reported in patients with no known risk factors. Treatment with abacavir should be suspended in any patient who develops clinical or laboratory findings suggestive of lactic acidosis or pronounced hepatotoxicity (which may include hepatomegaly and steatosis even in the absence of marked transaminase elevations).
Immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, including abacavir. During the initial phase of combination antiretroviral treatment, patients whose immune systems respond may develop an inflammatory response to indolent or residual opportunistic infections (such as Mycobacterium avium infection, cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia [PCP], or tuberculosis), which may necessitate further evaluation and treatment.
Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves’ disease, polymyositis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome) have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reconstitution; however, the time to onset is more variable and can occur many months after initiation of treatment.
Redistribution/accumulation of body fat including central obesity, dorsocervical fat enlargement (buffalo hump), peripheral wasting, facial wasting, breast enlargement, and “cushingoid appearance” have been observed in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. The mechanism and long-term consequences of these events are currently unknown. A causal relationship has not been established.
In a published prospective, observational, epidemiological trial designed to investigate the rate of myocardial infarction (MI) in patients on combination antiretroviral therapy, the use of abacavir within the previous 6 months was correlated with an increased risk of MI. In a sponsor-conducted pooled analysis of clinical trials, no excess risk of MI was observed in abacavir-treated subjects as compared with control subjects. In totality, the available data from the observational cohort and from clinical trials are inconclusive.
As a precaution, the underlying risk of coronary heart disease should be considered when prescribing antiretroviral therapies, including abacavir, and action taken to minimize all modifiable risk factors (e.g., hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking).
Abacavir is one of multiple abacavir-containing products. administration of abacavir with other products containing abacavir is not recommended. Abacavir is one of multiple abacavir-containing products. Concomitant administration of abacavir with other products containing abacavir is not recommended.
The following adverse reactions are discussed in other sections of the labeling:
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.
Serious and Fatal Abacavir-associated Hypersensitivity Reactions
In clinical trials, serious and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions have occurred with abacavir
[see
Boxed Warning,
Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
. These reactions have been characterized by 2 or more of the following signs or symptoms: (1) fever; (2) rash; (3) gastrointestinal symptoms (including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain); (4) constitutional symptoms (including generalized malaise, fatigue, or achiness); (5) respiratory symptoms (including dyspnea, cough, or pharyngitis). Almost all abacavir hypersensitivity reactions include fever and/or rash as part of the syndrome.
Other signs and symptoms have included lethargy, headache, myalgia, edema, arthralgia, and paresthesia. Anaphylaxis, liver failure, renal failure, hypotension, adult respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory failure, myolysis, and death have occurred in association with these hypersensitivity reactions. Physical findings have included lymphadenopathy, mucous membrane lesions (conjunctivitis and mouth ulcerations), and maculopapular or urticarial rash (although some patients had other types of rashes and others did not have a rash). There were reports of erythema multiforme. Laboratory abnormalities included elevated liver chemistries, elevated creatine phosphokinase, elevated creatinine, and lymphopenia, and abnormal chest x-ray findings (predominantly infiltrates, which were localized).
Additional Adverse Reactions with Use of Abacavir
Therapy-naive Adults:
Treatment-emergent clinical adverse reactions (rated by the investigator as moderate or severe) with a greater than or equal to 5% frequency during therapy with abacavir 300 mg twice daily, lamivudine 150 mg twice daily, and efavirenz 600 mg daily compared with zidovudine 300 mg twice daily, lamivudine 150 mg twice daily, and efavirenz 600 mg daily from CNA30024 are listed in Table 2.
a This trial used double-blind ascertainment of suspected hypersensitivity reactions. During the blinded portion of the trial, suspected hypersensitivity to abacavir was reported by investigators in 9% of 324 subjects in the abacavir group and 3% of 325 subjects in the zidovudine group.
b Ten (3%) cases of suspected drug hypersensitivity were reclassified as not being due to abacavir following unblinding. |
||
Adverse Reaction
| Abacavir plus
Lamivudine plus Efavirenz (n = 324) | Zidovudine plus
Lamivudine plus Efavirenz (n = 325) |
Dreams/sleep disorders
| 10%
| 10%
|
Drug hypersensitivity
| 9%
| <1%
b
|
Headaches/migraine
| 7%
| 11%
|
Nausea
| 7%
| 11%
|
Fatigue/malaise
| 7%
| 10%
|
Diarrhea
| 7%
| 6%
|
Rashes
| 6%
| 12%
|
Abdominal pain/gastritis/gastrointestinal signs and symptoms
| 6%
| 8%
|
Depressive disorders
| 6%
| 6%
|
Dizziness
| 6%
| 6%
|
Musculoskeletal pain
| 6%
| 5%
|
Bronchitis
| 4%
| 5%
|
Vomiting
| 2%
| 9%
|
Treatment-emergent clinical adverse reactions (rated by the investigator as moderate or severe) with a greater than or equal to 5% frequency during therapy with abacavir 300 mg twice daily, lamivudine 150 mg twice daily, and zidovudine 300 mg twice daily compared with indinavir 800 mg 3 times daily, lamivudine 150 mg twice daily, and zidovudine 300 mg twice daily from CNA3005 are listed in Table 3.
Adverse Reaction
| Abacavir plus
Lamivudine/Zidovudine (n = 262) | Indinavir plus
Lamivudine/Zidovudine (n = 264) |
Nausea
| 19%
| 17%
|
Headache
| 13%
| 9%
|
Malaise and fatigue
| 12%
| 12%
|
Nausea and vomiting
| 10%
| 10%
|
Hypersensitivity reaction
| 8%
| 2%
|
Diarrhea
| 7%
| 5%
|
Fever and/or chills
| 6%
| 3%
|
Depressive disorders
| 6%
| 4%
|
Musculoskeletal pain
| 5%
| 7%
|
Skin rashes
| 5%
| 4%
|
Ear/nose/throat infections
| 5%
| 4%
|
Viral respiratory infections
| 5%
| 5%
|
Anxiety
| 5%
| 3%
|
Renal signs/symptoms
| <1%
| 5%
|
Pain (non-site-specific)
| <1%
| 5%
|
Five subjects receiving abacavir in CNA3005 experienced worsening of pre-existing depression compared with none in the indinavir arm. The background rates of pre-existing depression were similar in the 2 treatment arms.
Abacavir Once Daily versus Abacavir Twice Daily (CNA30021): Treatment-emergent clinical adverse reactions (rated by the investigator as at least moderate) with a greater than or equal to 5% frequency during therapy with abacavir 600 mg once daily or abacavir 300 mg twice daily, both in combination with lamivudine 300 mg once daily and efavirenz 600 mg once daily from CNA30021, were similar. For hypersensitivity reactions, subjects receiving abacavir once daily showed a rate of 9% in comparison with a rate of 7% for subjects receiving abacavir twice daily. However, subjects receiving abacavir 600 mg once daily experienced a significantly higher incidence of severe drug hypersensitivity reactions and severe diarrhea compared with subjects who received abacavir 300 mg twice daily. Five percent (5%) of subjects receiving abacavir 600 mg once daily had severe drug hypersensitivity reactions compared with 2% of subjects receiving abacavir 300 mg twice daily. Two percent (2%) of subjects receiving abacavir 600 mg once daily had severe diarrhea while none of the subjects receiving abacavir 300 mg twice daily had this event.
Laboratory Abnormalities:
Laboratory abnormalities (Grades 3 to 4) in therapy-naive adults during therapy with abacavir 300 mg twice daily, lamivudine 150 mg twice daily, and efavirenz 600 mg daily compared with zidovudine 300 mg twice daily, lamivudine 150 mg twice daily, and efavirenz 600 mg daily from CNA30024 are listed in Table 4.
ULN = Upper limit of normal.
n = Number of subjects assessed. |
||
Grade 3/4
Laboratory Abnormalities | Abacavir plus
Lamivudine plus Efavirenz (n = 324) | Zidovudine plus
Lamivudine plus Efavirenz (n = 325) |
Elevated CPK (>4 X ULN)
| 8%
| 8%
|
Elevated ALT (>5 X ULN)
| 6%
| 6%
|
Elevated AST (>5 X ULN)
| 6%
| 5%
|
Hypertriglyceridemia (>750 mg/dL)
| 6%
| 5%
|
Hyperamylasemia (>2 X ULN)
| 4%
| 5%
|
Neutropenia (ANC <750/mm
3)
| 2%
| 4%
|
Anemia (Hgb ≤6.9 gm/dL)
| <1%
| 2%
|
Thrombocytopenia (Platelets <50,000/mm
3)
| 1%
| <1%
|
Leukopenia (WBC ≤1,500/mm
3)
| <1%
| 2%
|
Laboratory abnormalities in CNA3005 are listed in Table 5.
ULN = Upper limit of normal.
n = Number of subjects assessed. |
||
Grade 3/4 Laboratory Abnormalities
| ||
Abacavir plus
Lamivudine/Zidovudine (n = 262) | Indinavir plus
Lamivudine/Zidovudine (n = 264) |
|
Elevated CPK (>4 x ULN)
| 18 (7%)
| 18 (7%)
|
ALT (>5 x ULN)
| 16 (6%)
| 16 (6%)
|
Neutropenia (<750/mm
3)
| 13 (5%)
| 13 (5%)
|
Hypertriglyceridemia (>750 mg/dL)
| 5 (2%)
| 3 (1%)
|
Hyperamylasemia (>2 x ULN)
| 5 (2%)
| 1 (<1%)
|
Hyperglycemia (>13.9 mmol/L)
| 2 (<1%)
| 2 (<1%)
|
Anemia (Hgb ≤6.9 g/dL)
| 0 (0%)
| 3 (1%)
|
The frequencies of treatment-emergent laboratory abnormalities were comparable between treatment groups in CNA30021.
Therapy-experienced Pediatric Subjects (Twice-daily Dosing)
Treatment-emergent clinical adverse reactions (rated by the investigator as moderate or severe) with a greater than or equal to 5% frequency during therapy with abacavir 8 mg per kg twice daily, lamivudine 4 mg per kg twice daily, and zidovudine 180 mg per m 2 twice daily compared with lamivudine 4 mg per kg twice daily and zidovudine 180 mg per m 2 twice daily from CNA3006 are listed in Table 6.
Table 6. Treatment-emergent (All Causality) Adverse Reactions of at Least Moderate Intensity (Grades 2 to 4, Greater than or Equal to 5% Frequency) in Therapy-experienced Pediatric Subjects (CNA3006) through 16 Weeks of Treatment
Adverse Reaction
| Abacavir plus Lamivudine plus Zidovudine
(n = 102) | Lamivudine plus Zidovudine
(n = 103) |
Fever and/or chills
| 9%
| 7%
|
Nausea and vomiting
| 9%
| 2%
|
Skin rashes
| 7%
| 1%
|
Ear/nose/throat infections
| 5%
| 1%
|
Pneumonia
| 4%
| 5%
|
Headache
| 1%
| 5%
|
Laboratory Abnormalities: In CNA3006, laboratory abnormalities (anemia, neutropenia, liver function test abnormalities, and CPK elevations) were observed with similar frequencies as in a trial of therapy-naive adults (CNA30024). Mild elevations of blood glucose were more frequent in pediatric subjects receiving abacavir (CNA3006) as compared with adult subjects (CNA30024).
Other Adverse Events
In addition to adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities reported in Tables 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, other adverse reactions observed in the expanded access program were pancreatitis and increased GGT.
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.
The following adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of abacavir. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposures.
Body as a Whole
Redistribution/accumulation of body fat.
Cardiovascular
Myocardial infarction.
Hepatic
Lactic acidosis and hepatic steatosis
[see
Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
.
Skin
Suspected Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) have been reported in patients receiving abacavir primarily in combination with medications known to be associated with SJS and TEN, respectively. Because of the overlap of clinical signs and symptoms between hypersensitivity to abacavir and SJS and TEN, and the possibility of multiple drug sensitivities in some patients, abacavir should be discontinued and not restarted in such cases.
There have also been reports of erythema multiforme with abacavir use
[see
Adverse Reactions (6.1)]
.
In a trial of 11 HIV-1-infected subjects receiving methadone-maintenance therapy with 600 mg of abacavir twice daily (twice the currently recommended dose), oral methadone clearance increased [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] . This alteration will not result in a methadone dose modification in the majority of patients; however, an increased methadone dose may be required in a small number of patients.
Pregnancy Exposure Registry
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to abacavir during pregnancy. Physicians are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry at 1-800-258-4263.
Risk Summary
Available data from the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry show no difference in the risk of overall major birth defects for abacavir compared with the background rate for major birth defects of 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP). Abacavir produced fetal malformations and other embryonic and fetal toxicities in rats at 35 times the human exposure at the recommended clinical dose. The relevance of animal findings to human pregnancy registry data is not known.
Data
Human Data:
Based on prospective reports from the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry of over 2,000 exposures to abacavir during pregnancy resulting in live births (including over 900 exposed in the first trimester), there was no difference between abacavir and overall birth defects compared with the background birth defect rate of 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the MACDP. The prevalence of defects in the first trimester was 3% (95% CI: 2% to 4.4%).
Animal Data:
Studies in pregnant rats showed that abacavir is transferred to the fetus through the placenta. Fetal malformations (increased incidences of fetal anasarca and skeletal malformations) and developmental toxicity (depressed fetal body weight and reduced crown-rump length) were observed in rats at a dose which produced 35 times the human exposure based on AUC. Embryonic and fetal toxicities (increased resorptions, decreased fetal body weights) and toxicities to the offspring (increased incidence of stillbirth and lower body weights) occurred at half of the above-mentioned dose in separate fertility studies conducted in rats. In the rabbit, no developmental toxicity and no increases in fetal malformations occurred at doses that produced 8.5 times the human exposure at the recommended dose based on AUC.
Risk Summary
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that HIV-1-infected mothers in the United States not breastfeed their infants to avoid risking postnatal transmission of HIV-1 infection. Because of the potential for HIV-1 transmission, mothers should be instructed not to breastfeed.
The safety and effectiveness of abacavir have been established in pediatric patients aged 3 months and older. Use of abacavir is supported by pharmacokinetic trials and evidence from adequate and well-controlled trials of abacavir in adults and pediatric subjects [see Dosage and Administration (2.2), Adverse Reactions (6.2), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3), Clinical Studies (14.2)].
Clinical trials of abacavir did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. In general, caution should be exercised in the administration of abacavir in elderly patients reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
A dose reduction is required for patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A) [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)] . The safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic properties of abacavir have not been established in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment; therefore, abacavir is contraindicated in these patients [see Contraindications (4), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .
There is no known specific treatment for overdose with abacavir. If overdose occurs, the patient should be monitored and standard supportive treatment applied as required. It is not known whether abacavir can be removed by peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis.
Abacavir sulfate is a synthetic carbocyclic nucleoside analogue with inhibitory activity against HIV-1. The chemical name of abacavir sulfate is (1 S,cis)-4-[2-amino-6-(cyclopropylamino)-9 H-purin-9-yl]-2-cyclopentene-1-methanol sulfate (salt) (2:1). Abacavir sulfate is the enantiomer with 1S, 4R absolute configuration on the cyclopentene ring. It has a molecular formula of (C 14H 18N 6O) 2•H 2SO 4 and a molecular weight of 670.76 g per mol. It has the following structural formula:
Abacavir sulfate USP is a white to off-white solid and is soluble in water.
Abacavir tablets USP are for oral administration. Each tablet contains abacavir sulfate USP equivalent to 300 mg of abacavir as active ingredient and the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium starch glycolate. The tablets are coated with a film that is made of hypromellose, iron oxide yellow, polysorbate 80, titanium dioxide, and triacetin.
In vivo,
abacavir sulfate dissociates to its free base, abacavir. Dosages are expressed in terms of abacavir.
Pharmacokinetics in Adults
The pharmacokinetic properties of abacavir were independent of dose over the range of 300 to 1,200 mg per day.
Absorption and Bioavailability: Following oral administration, abacavir is rapidly absorbed and extensively distributed. The geometric mean absolute bioavailability of the tablet was 83%. Plasma abacavir AUC was similar following administration of the oral solution or tablets. After oral administration of 300 mg twice daily in 20 subjects, the steady-state peak serum abacavir concentration (C
max) was 3 ± 0.89 mcg per mL (mean ± SD) and AUC
(0-12 h) was 6.02 ± 1.73 mcg•hour per mL. After oral administration of a single dose of 600 mg of abacavir in 20 subjects, C
max was 4.26 ± 1.19 mcg per mL (mean ± SD) and AUC
∞ was 11.95 ± 2.51 mcg•hour per mL.
Distribution:
The apparent volume of distribution after IV administration of abacavir was 0.86 ± 0.15 L per kg, suggesting that abacavir distributes into extravascular space. In 3 subjects, the CSF AUC
(0-6 h) to plasma abacavir AUC
(0-6 h) ratio ranged from 27% to 33%.
Binding of abacavir to human plasma proteins is approximately 50% and was independent of concentration. Total blood and plasma drug-related radioactivity concentrations are identical, demonstrating that abacavir readily distributes into erythrocytes.
Metabolism and Elimination:
In humans, abacavir is not significantly metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes. The primary routes of elimination of abacavir are metabolism by alcohol dehydrogenase to form the 5′-carboxylic acid and glucuronyl transferase to form the 5′-glucuronide. The metabolites do not have antiviral activity.
In vitro experiments reveal that abacavir does not inhibit human CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or CYP2C9 activity at clinically relevant concentrations.
Elimination of abacavir was quantified in a mass balance trial following administration of a 600 mg dose of 14C-abacavir: 99% of the radioactivity was recovered, 1.2% was excreted in the urine as abacavir, 30% as the 5′-carboxylic acid metabolite, 36% as the 5′-glucuronide metabolite, and 15% as unidentified minor metabolites in the urine. Fecal elimination accounted for 16% of the dose.
In single-dose trials, the observed elimination half-life (t
1/2) was 1.54 ± 0.63 hours. After intravenous administration, total clearance was 0.8 ± 0.24 L per hour per kg (mean ± SD).
Effects of Food on Oral Absorption
Bioavailability of abacavir tablets was assessed in the fasting and fed states with no significant difference in systemic exposure (AUC
∞); therefore, abacavir tablets may be administered with or without food. Systemic exposure to abacavir was comparable after administration of abacavir oral solution and abacavir tablets. Therefore, these products may be used interchangeably.
Special Populations
Renal Impairment:
The pharmacokinetic properties of abacavir have not been determined in patients with impaired renal function. Renal excretion of unchanged abacavir is a minor route of elimination in humans.
Hepatic Impairment:
The pharmacokinetics of abacavir have been studied in subjects with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A). Results showed that there was a mean increase of 89% in the abacavir AUC and an increase of 58% in the half-life of abacavir after a single dose of 600 mg of abacavir. The AUCs of the metabolites were not modified by mild liver disease; however, the rates of formation and elimination of the metabolites were decreased
[see
Contraindications (4),
Use in Specific Populations (8.6)]
.
Pediatric Patients:
The pharmacokinetics of abacavir have been studied after either single or repeat doses of abacavir in pediatric subjects. Subjects receiving abacavir oral solution according to the recommended dosage regimen achieved plasma concentrations of abacavir similar to adults. Subjects receiving abacavir oral tablets achieved higher plasma concentrations of abacavir than subjects receiving oral solution.
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.
Geriatric Patients:
The pharmacokinetics of abacavir have not been studied in subjects older than 65 years.
Gender:
A population pharmacokinetic analysis in HIV-1-infected male (n = 304) and female (n = 67) subjects showed no gender differences in abacavir AUC normalized for lean body weight.
Race:
There are no significant or clinically relevant racial differences between blacks and whites in abacavir pharmacokinetics.
Drug Interactions
In human liver microsomes, abacavir did not inhibit cytochrome P450 isoforms (2C9, 2D6, 3A4). Based on these data, it is unlikely that clinically significant drug interactions will occur between abacavir and drugs metabolized through these pathways.
Lamivudine and/or Zidovudine:
Fifteen HIV-1-infected subjects were enrolled in a crossover designed drug interaction trial evaluating single doses of abacavir (600 mg), lamivudine (150 mg), and zidovudine (300 mg) alone or in combination. Analysis showed no clinically relevant changes in the pharmacokinetics of abacavir with the addition of lamivudine or zidovudine or the combination of lamivudine and zidovudine. Lamivudine exposure (AUC decreased 15%) and zidovudine exposure (AUC increased 10%) did not show clinically relevant changes with concurrent abacavir.
Ethanol:
Abacavir has no effect on the pharmacokinetic properties of ethanol. Ethanol decreases the elimination of abacavir causing an increase in overall exposure. Due to the common metabolic pathways of abacavir and ethanol via alcohol dehydrogenase, the pharmacokinetic interaction between abacavir and ethanol was studied in 24 HIV-1-infected male subjects. Each subject received the following treatments on separate occasions: a single 600 mg dose of abacavir, 0.7 g per kg ethanol (equivalent to 5 alcoholic drinks), and abacavir 600 mg plus 0.7 g per kg ethanol. Coadministration of ethanol and abacavir resulted in a 41% increase in abacavir AUC
∞ and a 26% increase in abacavir t
1/2. Abacavir had no effect on the pharmacokinetic properties of ethanol, so no clinically significant interaction is expected in men. This interaction has not been studied in females.
Methadone:
In a trial of 11 HIV-1-infected subjects receiving methadone-maintenance therapy (40 mg and 90 mg daily), with 600 mg of abacavir twice daily (twice the currently recommended dose), oral methadone clearance increased 22% (90% CI: 6% to 42%). This alteration will not result in a methadone dose modification in the majority of patients; however, an increased methadone dose may be required in a small number of patients
[see
Drug Interactions (7)]
. The addition of methadone had no clinically significant effect on the pharmacokinetic properties of abacavir.
Abacavir is a carbocyclic synthetic nucleoside analogue. Abacavir is converted by cellular enzymes to the active metabolite, carbovir triphosphate (CBV-TP), an analogue of deoxyguanosine-5′-triphosphate (dGTP). CBV-TP inhibits the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) both by competing with the natural substrate dGTP and by its incorporation into viral DNA.
Antiviral Activity
The antiviral activity of abacavir against HIV-1 was assessed in a number of cell lines including primary monocytes/macrophages and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). EC
50 values ranged from 3.7 to 5.8 μM (1 microM = 0.28 mcg per mL) and 0.07 to 1 microM against HIV-1
IIIB and HIV-1
BaL, respectively, and the mean EC
50 value was 0.26 ± 0.18 microM against 8 clinical isolates. The median EC
50 values of abacavir were 344 nM (range: 14.8 to 676 nM), 16.9 nM (range: 5.9 to 27.9 nM), 8.1 nM (range: 1.5 to 16.7 nM), 356 nM (range: 35.7 to 396 nM), 105 nM (range: 28.1 to 168 nM), 47.6 nM (range: 5.2 to 200 nM), 51.4 nM (range: 7.1 to 177 nM), and 282 nM (range: 22.4 to 598 nM) against HIV-1 clades A-G and group O viruses (n = 3 except n = 2 for clade B), respectively. The EC50 values against HIV-2 isolates (n = 4), ranged from 0.024 to 0.49 microM. The antiviral activity of abacavir in cell culture was not antagonized when combined with the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) didanosine, emtricitabine, lamivudine, stavudine, tenofovir, zalcitabine or zidovudine, the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) nevirapine, or the protease inhibitor (PI) amprenavir. Ribavirin (50 microM) used in the treatment of chronic HCV infection had no effect on the anti–HIV-1 activity of abacavir in cell culture.
Resistance
HIV-1 isolates with reduced susceptibility to abacavir have been selected in cell culture. Genotypic analysis of isolates selected in cell culture and recovered from abacavir-treated subjects demonstrated that amino acid substitutions K65R, L74V, Y115F, and M184V/I emerged in HIV-1 RT. M184V or I substitutions resulted in an approximately 2-fold decrease in susceptibility to abacavir. Substitutions K65R, L74M, or Y115F with M184V or I conferred a 7-to 8-fold reduction in abacavir susceptibility, and combinations of three substitutions were required to confer more than an 8-fold reduction in susceptibility.
Thirty-nine percent (7 of 18) of the isolates from subjects who experienced virologic failure in the abacavir once-daily arm had a greater than 2.5-fold mean decrease in abacavir susceptibility with a median-fold decrease of 1.3 (range: 0.5 to 11) compared with 29% (5 of 17) of the failure isolates in the twice-daily arm with a median-fold decrease of 0.92 (range: 0.7 to 13).
Cross-resistance
Cross-resistance has been observed among NRTIs. Isolates containing abacavir resistance-associated substitutions, namely, K65R, L74V, Y115F, and M184V, exhibited cross-resistance to didanosine, emtricitabine, lamivudine, and tenofovir in cell culture and in subjects. An increasing number of thymidine analogue mutation substitutions (TAMs: M41L, D67N, K70R, L210W, T215Y/F, K219E/R/H/Q/N) is associated with a progressive reduction in abacavir susceptibility.
Carcinogenicity
Abacavir was administered orally at 3 dosage levels to separate groups of mice and rats in 2-year carcinogenicity studies. Results showed an increase in the incidence of malignant and non-malignant tumors. Malignant tumors occurred in the preputial gland of males and the clitoral gland of females of both species, and in the liver of female rats. In addition, non-malignant tumors also occurred in the liver and thyroid gland of female rats. These observations were made at systemic exposures in the range of 6 to 32 times the human exposure at the recommended dose of 600 mg.
Mutagenicity
Abacavir induced chromosomal aberrations both in the presence and absence of metabolic activation in an
in vitro cytogenetic study in human lymphocytes. Abacavir was mutagenic in the absence of metabolic activation, although it was not mutagenic in the presence of metabolic activation in an L5178Y mouse lymphoma assay. Abacavir was clastogenic in males and not clastogenic in females in an
in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay.
Abacavir was not mutagenic in bacterial mutagenicity assays in the presence and absence of metabolic activation.
Impairment of Fertility
Abacavir did not affect male or female fertility in rats at a dose associated with exposures approximately 8 times higher than the exposure in humans at the dose of 600 mg.
Myocardial degeneration was found in mice and rats following administration of abacavir for 2 years. The systemic exposures were equivalent to 7 to 24 times the expected systemic exposure in humans at a dose of 600 mg. The clinical relevance of this finding has not been determined.
Therapy-naive Adults
CNA30024 was a multicenter, double-blind, controlled trial in which 649 HIV-1-infected, therapy-naive adults were randomized and received either abacavir (300 mg twice daily), lamivudine (150 mg twice daily), and efavirenz (600 mg once daily); or zidovudine (300 mg twice daily), lamivudine (150 mg twice daily), and efavirenz (600 mg once daily). The duration of double-blind treatment was at least 48 weeks. Trial participants were male (81%), white (51%), black (21%), and Hispanic (26%). The median age was 35 years; the median pretreatment CD4+ cell count was 264 cells per mm
3, and median plasma HIV-1 RNA was 4.79 log
10 copies per mL. The outcomes of randomized treatment are provided in Table 7.
a Subjects achieved and maintained confirmed HIV-1 RNA less than or equal to 50 copies per mL (less than 400 copies per mL) through Week 48 (Roche AMPLICOR Ultrasensitive HIV-1 MONITOR
® standard test 1 PCR).
b Includes viral rebound, insufficient viral response according to the investigator, and failure to achieve confirmed less than or equal to 50 copies per mL by Week 48. c Includes consent withdrawn, lost to follow up, protocol violations, those with missing data, clinical progression, and other. |
||
Outcome
| Abacavir plus
Lamivudine plus Efavirenz (n = 324) | Zidovudine plus
Lamivudine plus Efavirenz (n = 325) |
Responder
a
| 69% (73%)
| 69% (71%)
|
Virologic failures
b
| 6%
| 4%
|
Discontinued due to adverse reactions
| 14%
| 16%
|
Discontinued due to other reasons
c
| 10%
| 11%
|
After 48 weeks of therapy, the median CD4+ cell count increases from baseline were 209 cells per mm
3 in the group receiving abacavir and 155 cells per mm
3 in the zidovudine group. Through Week 48, 8 subjects (2%) in the group receiving abacavir (5 CDC classification C events and 3 deaths) and 5 subjects (2%) on the zidovudine arm (3 CDC classification C events and 2 deaths) experienced clinical disease progression.
CNA3005 was a multicenter, double-blind, controlled trial in which 562 HIV-1-infected, therapy-naive adults were randomized to receive either abacavir (300 mg twice daily) plus COMBIVIR
® (lamivudine 150 mg/zidovudine 300 mg twice daily), or indinavir (800 mg 3 times a day) plus COMBIVIR twice daily. The trial was stratified at randomization by pre-entry plasma HIV-1 RNA 10,000 to 100,000 copies per mL and plasma HIV-1 RNA greater than 100,000 copies per mL. Trial participants were male (87%), white (73%), black (15%), and Hispanic (9%). At baseline the median age was 36 years; the median baseline CD4+ cell count was 360 cells per mm
3, and median baseline plasma HIV-1 RNA was 4.8 log
10 copies per mL. Proportions of subjects with plasma HIV-1 RNA less than 400 copies per mL (using Roche AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR Test) through 48 weeks of treatment are summarized in Table 8.
a Subjects achieved and maintained confirmed HIV-1 RNA less than 400 copies per mL.
b Includes viral rebound and failure to achieve confirmed less than 400 copies per mL by Week 48. c Includes consent withdrawn, lost to follow up, protocol violations, those with missing data, clinical progression, and other. |
||
Outcome
| Abacavir plus
Lamivudine/Zidovudine (n = 262) | Indinavir plus
Lamivudine/Zidovudine (n = 265) |
Responder
a
| 49%
| 50%
|
Virologic failure
b
| 31%
| 28%
|
Discontinued due to adverse reactions
| 10%
| 12%
|
Discontinued due to other reasons
c
| 11%
| 10%
|
Treatment response by plasma HIV-1 RNA strata is shown in Table 9.
Screening
HIV-1 RNA (copies/mL) | Abacavir plus
Lamivudine/Zidovudine (n = 262) | Indinavir plus
Lamivudine/Zidovudine (n = 265) |
||
<400 copies/mL
| n
| <400 copies/mL
| n
|
|
≥10,000 - ≤100,000
>100,000 | 50%
48% | 166
96 | 48%
52% | 165
100 |
In subjects with baseline viral load greater than 100,000 copies per mL, percentages of subjects with HIV-1 RNA levels less than 50 copies per mL were 31% in the group receiving abacavir versus 45% in the group receiving indinavir.
Through Week 48, an overall mean increase in CD4+ cell count of about 150 cells per mm
3 was observed in both treatment arms. Through Week 48, 9 subjects (3.4%) in the group receiving abacavir (6 CDC classification C events and 3 deaths) and 3 subjects (1.5%) in the group receiving indinavir (2 CDC classification C events and 1 death) experienced clinical disease progression.
CNA30021 was an international, multicenter, double-blind, controlled trial in which 770 HIV-1-infected, therapy-naive adults were randomized and received either abacavir 600 mg once daily or abacavir 300 mg twice daily, both in combination with lamivudine 300 mg once daily and efavirenz 600 mg once daily. The double-blind treatment duration was at least 48 weeks. Trial participants had a mean age of 37 years; were male (81%), white (54%), black (27%), and American Hispanic (15%). The median baseline CD4+ cell count was 262 cells per mm
3 (range: 21 to 918 cells per mm
3) and the median baseline plasma HIV-1 RNA was 4.89 log
10 copies per mL (range: 2.6 to 6.99 log
10 copies per mL).
The outcomes of randomized treatment are provided in Table 10.
a Subjects achieved and maintained confirmed HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies per mL (less than 400 copies per mL) through Week 48 (Roche AMPLICOR Ultrasensitive HIV-1 MONITOR standard test version 1).
b Includes viral rebound, failure to achieve confirmed less than 50 copies per mL (less than 400 copies per mL) by Week 48, and insufficient viral load response. c Includes consent withdrawn, lost to follow up, protocol violations, clinical progression, and other. |
||
Outcome
| Abacavir 600 mg
q.d. plus EPIVIR ® plus Efavirenz (n = 384) | Abacavir 300 mg
b.i.d. plus EPIVIR plus Efavirenz (n = 386) |
Responder
a
| 64% (71%)
| 65% (72%)
|
Virologic failure
b
| 11% (5%)
| 11% (5%)
|
Discontinued due to adverse reactions
| 13%
| 11%
|
Discontinued due to other reasons
c
| 11%
| 13%
|
After 48 weeks of therapy, the median CD4+ cell count increases from baseline were 188 cells per mm 3 in the group receiving abacavir 600 mg once daily and 200 cells per mm 3 in the group receiving abacavir 300 mg twice daily. Through Week 48, 6 subjects (2%) in the group receiving abacavir 600 mg once daily (4 CDC classification C events and 2 deaths) and 10 subjects (3%) in the group receiving abacavir 300 mg twice daily (7 CDC classification C events and 3 deaths) experienced clinical disease progression. None of the deaths were attributed to trial medications.
Therapy-experienced Pediatric Subjects
CNA3006 was a randomized, double-blind trial comparing abacavir 8 mg per kg twice daily plus lamivudine 4 mg per kg twice daily plus zidovudine 180 mg per m
2 twice daily versus lamivudine 4 mg per kg twice daily plus zidovudine 180 mg per m
2 twice daily. Two hundred and five therapy-experienced pediatric subjects were enrolled: female (56%), white (17%), black (50%), Hispanic (30%), median age of 5.4 years, baseline CD4+ cell percent greater than 15% (median = 27%), and median baseline plasma HIV-1 RNA of 4.6 log
10 copies per mL. Eighty percent and 55% of subjects had prior therapy with zidovudine and lamivudine, respectively, most often in combination. The median duration of prior nucleoside analogue therapy was 2 years. At 16 weeks the proportion of subjects responding based on plasma HIV-1 RNA less than or equal to 400 copies per mL was significantly higher in subjects receiving abacavir plus lamivudine plus zidovudine compared with subjects receiving lamivudine plus zidovudine, 13% versus 2%, respectively. Median plasma HIV-1 RNA changes from baseline were -0.53 log
10 copies per mL in the group receiving abacavir plus lamivudine plus zidovudine compared with -0.21 log
10 copies per mL in the group receiving lamivudine plus zidovudine. Median CD4+ cell count increases from baseline were 69 cells per mm
3 in the group receiving abacavir plus lamivudine plus zidovudine and 9 cells per mm
3 in the group receiving lamivudine plus zidovudine.
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.
Abacavir tablets USP, containing abacavir sulfate equivalent to 300 mg abacavir, are yellow colored, biconvex, capsule shaped, coated tablet, debossed with ‘D’ and ‘88’ on either side of the score line on one side and plain with a score line on other side. They are packaged as follows:
Bottles of 60 NDC 65862-073-60
NDC
69189-0547-1 single dose pack with 1 tablet as
repackaged by Avera McKennan Hospital
Store at 20° to 25
°
C (68° to 77°
F); excursions permitted to 15°
to 30°
C (59°
to 86°
F) [
see USP Controlled Room Temperature]
.
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide).
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Inform patients:
Related Products that are Not Recommended
Inform patients that they should not take abacavir with EPZICOM
®, TRIUMEQ
®, or TRIZIVIR
®.
Lactic Acidosis/Hepatomegaly
Inform patients that some HIV medicines, including abacavir, can cause a rare, but serious condition called lactic acidosis with liver enlargement (hepatomegaly)
[see
Boxed Warning,
Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
.
Immune Reconstitution Syndrome
In some patients with advanced HIV infection, signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections may occur soon after anti-HIV treatment is started. It is believed that these symptoms are due to an improvement in the body's immune response, enabling the body to fight infections that may have been present with no obvious symptoms. Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider immediately of any symptoms of infection
[see
Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
.
Redistribution/Accumulation of Body Fat
Inform patients that redistribution or accumulation of body fat may occur in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy and that the cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known at this time
[see
Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]
.
Information about HIV-1 Infection
Inform patients that abacavir is not a cure for HIV-1 infection and patients may continue to experience illnesses associated with HIV-1 infection, including opportunistic infections. Patients must remain on continuous HIV therapy to control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illness. Inform patients that sustained decreases in plasma HIV-1 RNA have been associated with a reduced risk of progression to AIDS and death.
Advise patients to remain under the care of a physician when using abacavir.
Advise patients to take all HIV medications exactly as prescribed. Instruct patients that if they miss a dose, they should take it as soon as they remember. If they do not remember until it is time for the next dose, they should be instructed to skip the missed dose and go back to the regular schedule. Patients should not double their next dose or take more than the prescribed dose.
Advise patients to avoid doing things that can spread HIV-1 infection to others.
Advise patients not to re-use or share needles or other injection equipment.
Advise patients not to share personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them, like toothbrushes and razor blades.
Advise patients to always practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.
Female patients should be advised not to breastfeed. Mothers with HIV-1 should not breastfeed because HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in the breast milk.
Instruct patients to read the Medication Guide before starting abacavir and to reread it each time the prescription is renewed. Instruct patients to inform their physician or pharmacist if they develop any unusual symptom, or if any known symptom persists or worsens.
Manufactured for:
Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc.
2400 Route 130 North
Dayton, NJ 08810
Manufactured by:
Aurobindo Pharma Limited
Unit-VII (SEZ)
Mahaboob Nagar (Dt)-509302
India
Revised: 05/2016
Abacavir Tablets USP
(a bak' a vir)
What is the most important information I should know about abacavir tablets?
Abacavir tablets can cause serious side effects, including:
If you get a symptom from 2 or more of the following groups while taking abacavir tablets, call your healthcare provider right away to find out if you should stop taking abacavir tablets.
| Symptom(s)
|
Group 1
| Fever
|
Group 2
| Rash
|
Group 3
| Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal (stomach area) pain
|
Group 4
| Generally ill feeling, extreme tiredness, or achiness
|
Group 5
| Shortness of breath, cough, sore throat
|
A list of these symptoms is on the Warning Card your pharmacist gives you.
Carry this Warning Card with you at all times.
If you stop
abacavir tablets because of an allergic reaction, never take abacavir or any other abacavir-containing medicine (EPZICOM
®, TRIUMEQ
®, or TRIZIVIR
®) again.
If your healthcare provider tells you that you can take abacavir tablets again, start taking them when you are around medical help or people who can call a healthcare provider if you need one.
You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking nucleoside analogue medicines for a long time.
What are abacavir tablets?
Abacavir tablets are a prescription HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1) medicine used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection. HIV-1 is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
The safety and effectiveness of abacavir tablets has not been established in children under 3 months of age.
When
used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection, abacavir tablets may help:
Reducing the amount of HIV-1 and increasing the CD4+ (T) cells in your blood may help improve your immune system. This may reduce your risk of death or getting infections that can happen when your immune system is weak (opportunistic infections).
Abacavir tablets do not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS.
You must keep taking HIV-1 medicines to control HIV- 1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses.
Avoid doing things that can spread HIV-1 infection to others.
Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to prevent passing HIV to other people.
Who should not take abacavir tablets?
Do not take abacavir tablet if you:
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking abacavir tablets?
Before you take abacavir tablets, tell your healthcare provider if you:
Pregnancy Registry. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take antiretroviral medicines during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Some medicines interact with abacavir tablets.
Keep a list of your medicines to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with abacavir tablets.
Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take abacavir tablets with other medicines.
You should not take abacavir tablets if you also take:
Tell your healthcare provider if you take:
How should I take abacavir tablets?
What are the possible side effects of abacavir tablets?
The most common side effects of abacavir tablets in adults include:
The most common side effects of abacavir tablets in children include:
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all the possible side effects of abacavir tablets. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store abacavir tablets?
Keep abacavir tablets and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General information for safe and effective use of abacavir tablets
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use abacavir tablets for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give abacavir tablets to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.
If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for the information about abacavir tablets that is written for health professionals.
For more information call Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. at 1-866-850-2876.
What are the ingredients in abacavir tablets?
Active ingredient: abacavir
Inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium starch glycolate. The tablets are coated with a film that is made of hypromellose, iron oxide yellow, polysorbate 80, titanium dioxide, and triacetin.
This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The brands listed are trademarks of their respective owners and are not trademarks of the Aurobindo Pharma Limited. The markers of these brands are not affiliated with and do not endorse the Aurobindo Pharma Limited or its products.
Manufactured for:
Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc.
2400 Route 130 North
Dayton, NJ 08810
Manufactured by:
Aurobindo Pharma Limited
Unit-VII (SEZ)
Mahaboob Nagar (Dt)-509302
India
Revised: 05/2016
(Front of Card)
WARNING CARD
Abacavir Tablets USP
Patients taking abacavir tablets may have a serious allergic reaction (hypersensitivity reaction) that can cause death. If you get a symptom from 2 or more of the following groups while taking abacavir tablets, call your healthcare provider right away to find out if you should stop taking this medicine.
| Symptom(s)
|
Group 1
| Fever
|
Group 2
| Rash
|
Group 3
| Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal (stomach area) pain
|
Group 4
| Generally ill feeling, extreme tiredness, or achiness
|
Group 5
| Shortness of breath, cough, or sore throat
|
Always carry this Warning Card with you to help recognize symptoms of this allergic reaction.
(Back of Card)
WARNING CARD
Abacavir Tablets USP
If you must stop treatment with abacavir tablets because you have had an allergic reaction to abacavir,
NEVER take abacavir tablets or another abacavir-containing medicine (EPZICOM
®, TRIUMEQ
®, or TRIZIVIR
®) again. If you take abacavir tablets or another abacavir-containing medicine again after you have had an allergic reaction,
WITHIN HOURS you may get
life-threatening symptoms that may include
very low blood pressure or
death.
Please read the Medication Guide for additional information on abacavir tablets.
EPZICOM,TRIUMEQ, and TRIZIVIR are registered trademarks of the ViiV Healthcare group of companies.
Manufactured for:
Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc.
2400 Route 130 North
Dayton, NJ 08810
Manufactured by:
Aurobindo Pharma Limited
Unit-VII (SEZ)
Mahaboob Nagar (Dt)-509302
India
Revised: 05/2016
ABACAVIR
abacavir tablet, film coated |
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Labeler - Avera McKennan Hospital (068647668) |
Establishment | |||
Name | Address | ID/FEI | Business Operations |
---|---|---|---|
Avera McKennan Hospital | 068647668 | relabel(69189-0547) , repack(69189-0547) |