The efficacy and safety of a lower dose of zidovudine in the treatment of patients with AIDS-associated PCP.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

The efficacy and safety of a lower dose of zidovudine in the treatment of patients with AIDS-associated PCP.

Int Conf AIDS. 1990 Jun 20-23;6(1):138 (abstract no. Th.B.20). Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA6/10002090
Fischl M; Parker CB; Pettinelli C; Wulfsohn M; Rasheed S; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda,; Maryland, USA

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a lower daily dose of zidovudine (ZVD) in the treatment of advanced HIV disease. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 524 subjects with a first episode of P. carinii pneumonia. 262 subjects received ZVD at an oral dose of 250 mg every 4 hrs (standard dose group) and 262 received ZVD at an oral dose of 200 mg every 4 hrs for 4 wks followed by 100 mg every 4 hrs (low dose group). RESULTS: The median length of followup was 25.6 mos. 188 deaths (72%) occurred in the standard dose group and 169 (72%) in the low dose group. A statistically better survival was noted for the low dose group (P=0.019). 215 subjects (82%) in the standard dose group and 214 (82%) in the low dose group developed another infection. No significant differences between the two groups in the time to another infection were noted (P=0.56). No significant differences in a mean change from pretreatment CD4 numbers were noted. No differences in p24 antigen changes were noted over time. Serious anemia and neutropenia occurred more frequently and earlier in the standard dose group (P=0.009, P=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A lower daily dose of ZVD was as effective and less toxic than the initially recommended dose.

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/COMPLICATIONS/*DRUG THERAPY/ MORTALITY Follow-Up Studies Human Pneumonia, Pneumocystis carinii/*COMPLICATIONS/MORTALITY Randomized Controlled Trials Zidovudine/*ADMINISTRATION & DOSAGE/ADVERSE EFFECTS/THERAPEUTIC USE ABSTRACT RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL CLINICAL TRIAL
901230
M90C3698

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