"Lower Dose of AZT is Found Effective"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"Lower Dose of AZT is Found Effective"

New York Times (12/27/89), P. A19
Kolata, Gina

Abstract: Data from two large federal studies have shown that lowdoses of AZT, the one approved drug for combating AIDS, are just as effective for many patients, and are less likely to cause the dangerous side effects higher doses may cause. But though thousands of people infected with the AIDS virus are suffering side effects such as severe anemia and other blood disorders, thegovernment has delayed considering a lower dose of AZT due to an accumulation of "trivial" things. The recommeded AZT dose is 1,200 milligrams a day, but the results of the two studies conducted by the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases showed that 500 milligrams a day can be just as effective and far less toxic. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Burroughs Wellcome (AZT's manufacturer),and Act Up recently sent a letter to the FDA listing five studiessupporting a smaller AZT dosage. An FDA advisory board will meetJan. 29-30 to discuss AZT recommended doses.

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