Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. My NP has said: "May Stop Azithromycin 2-600 mg tablets once/week as preventative for MAC". Reason given is my CD4 has been >50 for more than one year and CD4 currently is 69 and 13% (highest % in 4 years). I am apprehensive about whether or not to stop the medication as it seems to be my call. What would you recommend? VL is just detectable at 51 and I was diagnosed September 2002 when my CD4 was 26 and the % was 4. I am 61 years old.
Ross Slotten, M.D.
Klein and Slotten Medical Associates
Private Practice in Family Medicine
With a special interest in HIV disease
You state that you have been doing well for that last year on your HIV medication regimen. Your last CD4 count was 69/13% and viral load only 51. And your health care provider suggests that you can stop your MAC prophylaxis. What is most encouraging about your numbers is that your CD4 per cent has risen significantly (and, of course, your viral level is, for all intents and purposes, undetectable), which means your risk of getting most opportunistic infections is low. Your main risk remains pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. It is safe to stop other preventative agents except Bactrim, or whatever you might be taking, for the prevention of PCP. But if you're not having any side effects from the Azithromycin, and you're reluctant to stop it, stay on it.
I wish you continued success!
060627
ASKD060614
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