Infect Chemother.  2014 Jun;46(2):103-105. 10.3947/ic.2014.46.2.103.

Alopecia Areata Associated with Abacavir Therapy

• Kim HS
• Shin HS

• KMID: 2284986
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3947/ic.2014.46.2.103

Abstract

Abacavir is a nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor that has been approved for use in combination with other retroviral agents in the treatment of HIV infection. Common adverse reactions include headache, fatigue, nausea, and rash. A fatal hypersensitivity reaction may occur in 5% of patients receiving abacavir; therefore, screening for HLA-B5701 should be performed before starting abacavir. Alopecia areata (AA) is infrequently reported in HIV-infected patients. Certain underlying conditions have been associated with AA, including a decreased CD4:CD8 ratio related to the progression of HIV infection, some opportunistic infections, and syphilis. Several antiretroviral drugs, such as zidovudine, indinavir, indinavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, and atazanavir/ritonavir have been implicated in the development of AA. At present, the occurrence of AA has not been associated with abacavir use. We cannot exclude that the use of abacavir and the development of AA could be coincidental. Nevertheless, patients given abacavir should be monitored for hair loss and the drug discontinued promptly if such signs appear.

Keyword

Abacavir; Alopecia; Adverse drug reaction

MeSH Terms

Alopecia
Alopecia Areata*
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
Exanthema
Fatigue
Hair
Headache
HIV Infections
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Indinavir
Mass Screening
Nausea
Opportunistic Infections
Syphilis
Zidovudine
Indinavir
Zidovudine

Figure

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  Figure 1 Alopecia and hair regrowth have plausible time relationships to abacavir intake. ADR, adverse drug reaction; HAART, highly active antiretroviral therapy; ZDV, zidovudine; 3TC, lamivudine; EFV, efavirenz; ABC, abacavir; RAL, raltegravir; LPV/r, lopinavir/ritonavir; RPR, Rapid Plasma Reagin; CBC, complete blood count; LFT, liver function test; WNL, within normal limits; Lab, laboratory findings.

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