"1592 (Abacavir): Do Not Rechallenge After Hypersensitivity
Reaction"
AIDS Treatment News (12/19/97) No. 285, P. 1; James, John S.
ÿÿÿÿ In the testing to date of the experimental antiretroviral
abacavir (1592U89), 3 percent of patients have developed a
systemic hypersensitivity reaction that will go away within a few
days once the drug is stopped. If such a patient tries the drug
again, however, severe and potentially fatal
conditions--including high fever, severe nausea, vomiting, rash,
and dangerously low blood pressure--can occur within a few hours.
At present, the problem seems manageable by simply recognizing
that there is a small percentage of patients who cannot receive
the drug. To that end, Glaxo Wellcome is educating doctors,
researchers, and volunteers about abacavir hypersensitivity and
is planning research into the specific mechanism of action of the
hypersensitivity. So far, nearly 2,000 people have taken the
drug, and its overall safety appears good. Clinical trials are
continuing, as is the abacavir development program. |
