abacavir + stavudine

**abacavir + stavudine** is an oral combination of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) used in the treatment of HIV infection. Abacavir is a carbocyclic guanine analogue, and stavudine is a thymidine analogue; both are phosphorylated intracellularly to their active triphosphate forms, which inhibit HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by competing with natural nucleosides and inducing chain termination during viral DNA synthesis. This combination was examined clinically, often alongside a third agent, but is now generally avoided due to toxicity (particularly of stavudine) and suboptimal efficacy compared to modern regimens. Both agents are small molecules.

Other names

abacavir + stavudine