abacavir

Abacavir is a synthetic carbocyclic nucleoside analogue and an antiviral agent classified as a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). It is used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Abacavir works by being converted intracellularly to its active metabolite, carbovir triphosphate (CBV-TP), which acts as a guanosine analogue. CBV-TP inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by competing with the natural substrate deoxyguanosine-5'-triphosphate (dGTP) and incorporating into viral DNA. This incorporation terminates DNA chain elongation due to the absence of a 3'-OH group required for phosphodiester bond formation. Abacavir does not cure HIV or AIDS but reduces viral load and helps prevent progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) when used as part of combination therapy[1][2][3][5][6].

Brand names

ZiagenEpzicomKivexaTriumeqTrizivir

Other names

ABC