Abacavir is an antiretroviral medicine used together with other HIV medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and children.
It is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, so it blocks a step HIV uses to make copies of itself, and it is always combined with at least one other HIV medicine. Most people take it inside a single tablet, such as abacavir with lamivudine, or abacavir with dolutegravir and lamivudine. Everyone needs an HLA-B*5701 blood test before the first dose, because people who carry that gene should take a different medicine instead. Taking it at the same time every day keeps the virus suppressed, and a clinician should guide any change, pause, or restart.
Starting abacavir: what to know
Common questions
What is Abacavir used for?
Abacavir treats HIV-1 infection. It is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, which blocks an enzyme HIV needs to copy itself. It is always taken with other HIV medicines, often as one combination tablet such as abacavir with lamivudine, or abacavir with dolutegravir and lamivudine. Taken every day as prescribed, it helps lower the virus in your blood to undetectable levels and protects your immune system. It does not cure HIV, does not treat hepatitis B, and is not used for HIV prevention. Before your first dose you need a blood test for HLA-B*5701, because people who carry it need a different medicine.