Abacavir Dosing

The abacavir dosage for treating adults (age 17 and older) with HIV or AIDS is 300 mg two times daily or 600 mg once daily. Healthcare providers typically offer dosing recommendations for adolescents and children (age 3 months to 16 years old) based on weight. Other factors that may affect the abacavir dosage include other medical conditions you may have and other medications you are taking.

 

Abacavir Dosing: An Introduction

The dose of abacavir sulfate (Ziagen®) your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • Your weight (for children)
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may currently be taking.
     
As always, do not adjust your abacavir dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Abacavir Dosing for Adults

The recommended abacavir dose for treating adults (17 years old and older) with HIV or AIDS is abacavir 300 mg twice daily or 600 mg once daily. One study suggested that people who took abacavir 600 mg once daily (instead of abacavir 300 mg twice daily) had a higher risk of developing dangerous allergic reactions. Abacavir should be used in combination with other HIV medications, as part of an HIV "cocktail" (this is known as Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy, or HAART).
 

Abacavir Dosing for Adolescents and Children

The recommended abacavir dose for treating HIV or AIDS in adolescents and children (age 3 months to 16 years old) is based on weight. The recommended dose is abacavir 8 mg per kg (about 3.6 mg per pound) twice daily, up to a maximum dose of abacavir 300 mg twice daily. Abacavir should be used in combination with other HIV medications.
(Abacavir Dosing Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;