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Ziagen Dosage
The Ziagen dose your healthcare provider prescribes will be based on several factors, such as your age, your weight, other medical conditions you have, and other medications you are taking. The recommended Ziagen dosage for adults (age 17 and older) with HIV or AIDS is 300 mg twice daily or 600 mg once daily. For treating adolescents and children (age 3 months to 16 years old), the Ziagen dosage is based on weight.
Ziagen Dosage: An Introduction
The dose of Ziagen® (abacavir sulfate) your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:- Your age
- Your weight (for children)
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may currently be taking.
As always, do not adjust your Ziagen dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
The recommended Ziagen dose for treating adults (17 years old and older) with HIV or AIDS is Ziagen 300 mg twice daily or 600 mg once daily. One study suggested that people who took Ziagen 600 mg once daily (instead of Ziagen 300 mg twice daily) had a higher risk of developing dangerous allergic reactions. Ziagen should be used in combination with other HIV medications, as part of an HIV "cocktail" (this is known as Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy, or HAART).
The recommended Ziagen dose for treating HIV or AIDS in adolescents and children (age 3 months to 16 years old) is based on weight. The recommended dose for Ziagen oral solution (liquid) is 8 mg per kg (about 3.6 mg per pound) twice daily, up to a maximum dose of Ziagen 300 mg twice daily.
For Ziagen tablets, the recommended dosage is also based on weight, as follows:
- 14 to 21 kg (30.8 to 46.2 pounds) -- half a tablet (150 mg) twice daily
- 21 to 30 kg (46.2 to 66 pounds) -- half a tablet (150 mg) in the morning and one tablet (300 mg) in the evening
- 30 kg or more (66 pounds or more) -- one tablet (300 mg) twice daily.
Ziagen should be used in combination with other HIV medications.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD