by Tikiso T, McIlleron H, Burger D, Gibb D, Rabie H, Lee J, Lallemant M, Cotton MF, Archary M, Hennig S, Denti P. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2021, 88(2): 403-415. doi: 10.1111/bcp.14984
Summary: Abacavir is part of WHO-recommended regimens to treat HIV in children under 15 years of age. In a pooled analysis across four studies, the authors used results from 203 children to describe abacavir population pharmacokinetics using nonlinear mixed-effects modelling. Children on lopinavir/ritonavir or efavirenz had similar abacavir exposures, while concomitant TB treatment and super-boosted lopinavir gave significantly reduced abacavir concentrations. Malnourished children living with HIV had higher abacavir exposure initially, but this effect waned with nutritional rehabilitation. Absorption of the fixed dose combination tablet was 24% slower than the abacavir liquid formulation.