DIAGNOSE
Clinical diagnosis
Clinical diagnosis of suspected hypersensitivity to abacavir remains the basis for clinical decision making.
- HLA-B*5701 screening for risk of abacavir hypersensitivity should never be substituted for appropriate clinical vigilance and patient management in individuals receiving abacavir.
- HLA-B*5701 testing must not be used as a diagnostic test after a patient has started treatment with abacavir.
Consider the symptoms
Most abacavir HSR include fever and/or rash. Other symptoms include respiratory, gastrointestinal and constitutional symptoms such as lethargy and malaise. However, multiple symptoms are typical in most cases of hypersensitivity.
Symptoms usually appear within the first 6 weeks although the reaction may occur at any time during therapy.
Delay in stopping treatment with abacavir after the onset of hypersensitivity may result in an immediate and life-threatening reaction.
For detailed information on abacavir hypersensitivity reaction, visit the be aware page.
NP-GBL-HVX-WCNT-220048 November 2022
Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or search for MHRA Yellowcard in the Google Play or Apple App store. Adverse events should also be reported to GlaxoSmithKline on 0800 221441.
If you are from outside the UK, you can report adverse events to GSK/ViiV by selecting your region and market, here.
