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Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine, Vol 10, No 4 (2009)

Abacavir: it’s use and hypersensitivity

Helena Rabie, Kristin Lorenc Henning, Pierre Schoeman, Nico de Villiers, G HJ Pretorius, Mark F Cotton

Abstract


Abacavir, a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is useful in first and second line therapy as well as a substitute for Stavudine and Zidovudine for toxicity. Although safe and well tolerated, a life threatening hypersensitivity reaction can occur. The risk for developing this reaction relates to the presence of specific genotypes especially HLA-B*5701.

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