Bulletin of Experimental Treatments for AIDS, No. 2; November 1988

Mechanism of Action Against HIV:

Inhibits reverse transcriptase, terminates viral DNA chain

Availability and FDA Status

New Drug Application approved for AIDS and severe ARC. Available for asymptomatic seropostives with physician's prescription.

Phase III trials underway for asymptomatic seropositive and/or PGL, early ARC, and neurological disease. Phase I trial for pediatric AIDS

Cost:

Approximately $8,000 per year for "full dose" (1200 mg/day)

How Administered:

Oral or intravenous

Toxicity/Side Effects:

+ Very toxic: anemia, neutropenia, nausea, fatigue, headaches, insomnia

+ Healthier individuals appear to tolerate the drug better

Comments:

+ Proven to slow disease progression in some people with AIDS and severe ARC

+ May be beneficial for mild ARC and some asymptomatic seropositives

+ May be effective for cryptosporidiosis

+ "Half-dose" (600 mg/day) may be as effective as "full dose" (1200 mg/day)

+ Do not take with ribavirin

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Antiviral - Dextran sulfate

Mechanism of Action:

Blocks syncytia formation, blocks HIV from binding to T-helper cells, and blocks reverse transcriptase activity

Availability and FDA Status:

In Japan and at local buyers' clubs without prescription

Phase I/II clinical trials

Cost:

$120-$260 in Japan (1000 300 mg tablets)

The Healing Alternatives Foundation in SF currently charges $280.

Estimated yearly cost: $980

How Administered:

Oral or intravenous

Toxicity/Side Effects:

Some individuals had severe decrease in white blood counts, liver toxicity, diarrhea, insomnia, skin rash

Comments:

+ Hemophiliacs and people with ITP* should not take dextran sulfate

+ Do not take aspirin with dextran sulfate

+ May not cross blood-brain barrier

+ May work synergistically with AZT

+ Anti-HIV effect shown only in test tube studies

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Antiviral - Iscador

Mechanism of Action Against HIV

May block syncytia formation, may block reproduction of virus within cells

Availability and FDA Status

Write to Switzerland with physician's prescription.

Application for Phase I trial submitted

Cost:

Approximately $6 per week

How Administered:

Subcutaneous injection

Toxicity/Side Effects:

Temporary swelling at injection site

Fever

Comments:

+ Used as a cancer therapy for 60 years in Europe

+ Enhances the immune system

+ Increases neutrophil numbers and may help people better tolerate AZT.

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Antiviral - AL721

Mechanism of Action Against HIV:

Inhibits viral binding

Availability and FDA Status:

Contact a buyers' club

Phase II

Cost:

$145-$180 per kilogram

Estimated yearly cost: $1,120 (20 g/day)

How Administered:

Oral, well-mixed in water or juice

Toxicity/Side Effects:

Non-toxic

Comments:

+ Mix thoroughly in juice or water.

+ Take on empty stomach with no other fats 2 hours before and 2 hours after

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Antiviral - Ribavirin

Mechanism of Action:

Unknown

Availability and FDA Status:

In Mexico without prescription

Phase I/II

Cost:

$23.50 for a box of 12 200 mg capsules

Estimated yearly cost: $5,640 (1600 mg/day)

How Administered:

Oral

Toxicity/Side Effects:

Mild anemia, insomnia, headache, irritability

Comments:

+ Clinical trials have not shown reductions in HIV antigen levels

+ Do not take with AZT

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Antiviral - Carrisyn

Mechanism of Action Against HIV:

Unknown

Availability and FDA Status:

Call The Healing Alternatives Foundation in San Francisco

Application for Investigational New Drug (IND) submitted

Cost:

Approximately $140 a month

Estimated yearly cost: $1,680

How Administered:

Oral

Toxicity/Side Effects

Non-toxic

Comments:

+ Immunomodulator

+ Antiviral activity against the herpes virus

+ Does not cross blood-brain barrier

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Antiviral - BHT

Mechanism of Action Against HIV:

Affects lipid envelope

Availability and FDA Status:

Available from The Healing Alternatives Foundation

Cost:

Estimated yearly cost: $14 (1 gram per day)

How Administered:

Oral, dispersed in oil such as olive or sesame

Toxicity/Side Effects:

Low toxicity

Metallic taste

Comments:

+ Studied in test tube only

+ Affects lipid envelope of CMV and other herpes viruses

+ Do not drink alcohol for several hours after taking BHT

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BETA0203

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