Abstract

AIDS: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced accelerated approval of Glaxo-Wellcome's abacavir (Ziagen, 1592) in combination with other antiretrovirals. Abacavir is in the same nucleoside analog class as AZT, but abacavir has stronger effects against HIV. Use of the drug requires caution, because it can cause a serious hypersensitivity or allergic reaction in 5 percent of patients. If abacavir is stopped and restarted, the hypersensitivity can be more fatal. Little is known about long-term use of the drug or its effects when in combination with other anti-HIV medications other than AZT plus 3TC.