Abacavir and lamivudine combination.
BACKGROUND
Fixed dose antiretroviral combinations (FDC) may improve therapy adherence with reduced pill burden. Abacavir and lamivudine are well-established nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors available as a once-daily FDC. Abacavir is currently considered an alternative treatment option in most established treatment guidelines based on associations with cardiovascular events and lesser efficacy in patients with higher baseline viremia.


OBJECTIVE
To summarize rigorous clinical trial data and cohort studies that examine efficacy, safety and tolerability of the individual components and the FDC of abacavir-lamivudine.


METHODS
Clinical trial data, post-marketing research findings and clinical cohort data were reviewed to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the individual components and the FDC of abacavir-lamivudine along with recommendations from published clinical treatment guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
The efficacy of abacavir-lamivudine is well documented in numerous clinical studies and treatment guidelines. The introduction of laboratory testing to identify patients at risk for hypersensitivity has decreased the incidence of these reactions. Recent findings suggest that abacavir is an alternative treatment agent with baseline HIV RNA > 100,000 copies/ml. Data related to cardiovascular events associated with abacavir are conflicting. Hepatic function should be monitored closely in HIV/HBV co-infected patients who discontinue lamivudine-containing products as severe acute exacerbations of HBV have been reported.
Somboonwit
Charurut
C
University of South Florida College of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA.
Kurtyka
Don
D
Velez
Ana Paula
AP
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015224:Dideoxynucleosides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000099227:Abacavir
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015224:Dideoxynucleosides; D004338:Drug Combinations; D019259:Lamivudine; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D000099227:Abacavir