New Pathway for Abacavir

We have posted a new pathway on PharmGKB summarizing the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenetics of abacavir. Abacavir is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) pro-drug, used for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Abacavir is converted through several enzymatic steps into its active form, carbovir 5’-triphosphate (CBV-TP), which works by blocking the action of HIV reverse transcriptase. Approximately 5-8% of patients experience a hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) within the first 6 weeks of abacavir treatment. These HSRs can be severe and even fatal, particularly if the drug is discontinued then rechallenged. Abacavir HSRs have been strongly linked with the presence of the HLA-B*57:01allele. For more information on the pharmacogenetics of abacavir, as well as the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, please view the entire pathway description.View all pathways on PharmGKB.