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.
Dose of Abacavir 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 Dosages 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 for abacavir oral solution (liquid) is 8 mg per kg (about 3.6 mg per pound) twice daily, up to a maximum dose of abacavir 300 mg twice daily.
For abacavir tablets, the recommended dosage is also based on weight, as follows:
- 14 to 21 kg (30.8 to 46.2 pounds) -- half a tablet (150 mg) twice daily
- 21 to 30 kg (46.2 to 66 pounds) -- half a tablet (150 mg) in the morning and one tablet (300 mg) in the evening
- 30 kg or more (66 pounds or more) -- one tablet (300 mg) twice daily.
Abacavir should be used in combination with other HIV medications.
