Abacavir

Common Brands Actos
Drug Class
Thiazolidinedione
Controlled Substance Classification
Not a controlled medication
Generic Status
Lower-cost generic available
Availability
Prescription only
Hope Chang, PharmD, AAHIVP
Hope Chang, PharmD, AAHIVP
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Medically reviewed by Hope Chang, PharmD, AAHIVP last update on 20/12/2023

Overview

Abacavir is an antiretroviral medication used in the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Abacavir is specifically designed to target the reverse transcriptase enzyme, which plays a crucial role in the replication process of the HIV virus.

As a synthetic nucleoside analogue, Abacavir mimics the structure of natural building blocks of DNA. When administered, it is converted within the body into its active form, Abacavir triphosphate. This active form competes with natural nucleosides, incorporating itself into the growing viral DNA chain during the process of reverse transcription. Once incorporated, Abacavir disrupts the elongation of the viral DNA chain, preventing the completion of the replication process.

Abacavir inhibits the reverse transcriptase enzyme, a crucial component for the replication of HIV. By incorporating itself into the viral DNA chain, Abacavir terminates the elongation process, preventing the virus from multiplying within host cells.

DRUG STATUS

Availability

Prescription only

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy