Bulletin of Experimental Treatments for AIDS, No. 1; June 1988

+ AZT is not a cure for AIDS.

+ AZT slows down disease progression for some people with AIDS and ARC

+ AZT crosses the blood-brain barrier.

+ AZT may work better for people at earlier stages of HIV infection.

DOSAGE

+ A "full" dose is 200 mg every four hours (6x day).

+ The most effective dose is still being studied.

+ The middle-of-the-night dose may not be necessary.

+ Using AZT with probenicid may reduce the amount and cost of the drug.

TOXICITY & SIDE EFFECTS

+ AZT is very toxic.

+ Healthier individuals appear to tolerate AZT better.

+ The major dangers of AZT are anemia* and neutropenia*.

+ Close monitoring by a doctor for side effects is absolutely necessary.

+ Side effects may include nausea, fatigue, headaches, and insomnia.

AZT AND OTHER DRUGS

+ Before taking AZT with any other drug, talk to a doctor.

+ Do NOT take AZT with any drug containing acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol, Datril, etc.)

+ Aspirin with AZT is probably safe.

+ Do NOT take AZT with ribavirin.

ASYMPTOMATIC SEROPOSITIVES

+ Physicians disagree about whether to use AZT for people at earlier stages of HIV infection.

+ A recent study of 18 HIV-infected men on AZT found no disease progression in any of the subjects.

+ Long-term studies on AZT for HIV antibody positive individuals are still underway.

+ Some physicians use certain tests to help them decide whether to recommend treatment with AZT (e.g., T-helper cell counts*, the p24 antigen test*, and the beta-2 microglobulin test*).
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Copyright © 1988 - Bulletin of Experimental Treatments for AIDS (BETA). Reproduced with permission. BETA is published four times a year by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reproduction is encouraged. Subscription lists are kept confidential. Call 415.487.8060; FAX: 415.487.8069. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 426182, San Francisco, CA 94142-6182.  beta@sfaf.org  http://www.sfaf.org/beta.html