GMHC Treatment Issues, No. 43; Volume 4 Number 3 -- May 22, 1990
Kevin Armington
The announcement of dramatic improvement in Kenyan patients taking an oral form of alpha interferon has generated intense excitement. While we would like to accept these results at face value, it would irresponsible to do so without independent confirmation of this drug s effect. John James wrote an excellent assessmen
GMHC Treatment Issues, No. 43; Volume 4 Number 3 -- May 22, 1990
Gabriel Torres, M. D.
It is unfortunate that AZT remains the only drug approved to fight HIV infection directly. As we learn more about the drug, however, certain strategies can maximize AZT s usefulness and counteract its adverse side effects. Trials with very low doses of AZT (300 mg/day) show some early promise. A phase I toxicity trial
GMHC Treatment Issues, No. 43; Volume 4 Number 3 -- May 22, 1990
Karen Brudney, M. D.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease that is often seen in HIV-infected individuals. A connection between TB and HIV infection was first noted in newly-arrived Haitian immigrants. In addition, an extremely high incidence of coinfection (HIV and TB) has been described in urban intravenous drug users in New York c
GMHC Treatment Issues, No. 43; Volume 4 Number 3 -- May 22, 1990
Roy Gulick, M. D.
Many diseases and therapeutic drugs can cause bone marrow failure or dysfunction. Damage to the bone barrow, the source of all blood cells, may result in conditions such as anemia or neutropenia (deficiency in neutrophils, a type of white blood cell particularly important in fighting off serious bacterial infections).
GMHC Treatment Issues; Volume 4 no. 2 April 6, 1990
The AIDS Drug Assistance Program of New York State recently added the following drugs to the list of those for which they will reimburse: acyclovir ( Zovirax ), fluconazole, dapsone, leucovorin, Fansidar, Bactrim (Septra), ganciclovir, clotrimazole, ketoconazole, acid
GMHC Treatment Issues; Volume 4 no. 2 April 6, 1990
The FDA formally announced a labeling change for AZT , allowing physicians to prescribe the drug for any HIV-infected individual with fewer than 500 T4 cells. The dosage recommended is 500 mg a day, based on results from a study that recruited over 1300 asymptomatic patients (protocol # 019).
GMHC Treatment Issues; Volume 4 no. 2 April 6, 1990
Wayne Kawadler
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone which originates in the adrenal gland and causes the release of both testosterone and cortisol. DHEA is found almost everywhere in the body incuding the testes, ovaries, lungs, and brain. Large amounts are concentrated in the urine. The amount of DHEA in the body peaks at 25 t
GMHC Treatment Issues; Volume 4 no. 2 April 6, 1990
Kevin Armington
Several placebo-controlled studies since 1985 have provided evidence that this drug slows progression of HIV-related disease (13,14). The French have been treating AIDS patients with Imuthiol (DTC) since 1983, with encouraging results. Upon completion of a multicenter American study, sponsored by the French pharmaceuti
GMHC Treatment Issues; Volume 4 no. 2 April 6, 1990
Howard Rubin
Cytomegalovirus ( CMV ), a member of the herpes virus family, can cause severe infections in PWAs. The virus is quite widespread among adults. Up to 50% of people over the age of 40 have antibodies to CMV although most never develop signs of infection. Among gay men, CMV is much more prevalent. CMV can be transmitted
GMHC Treatment Issues; Volume 4 no. 2 April 6, 1990
Gabriel Torres, M. D.
On March 12, 1990, The New York Times reported that 290 patients receiving ddI through the expanded access program had died, as compared to two patients in the controlled clinical trials. These two patient groups were inappropriately compared. As a result, many people taking ddI reacted badly to this irresponsible repo
GMHC Treatment Issues; Volume 4 no. 1 January 29, 1990
Two drugs are now in development that may eliminate the need for catheters for patients with CMV . The first is an oral form of ganciclovir (DHPG), the drug that has been approved for CMV retinitis. Research to date has shown that the pill form of the drug is not well absorbed but that blood levels of the drug that inh
GMHC Treatment Issues; Volume 4 no. 1 January 29, 1990
FDA has approved a change in prescription guidelines for AZT . The package insert will now recommend that patients take 1200 mg for one month, followed by a dose reduction to 600 mg daily. This recommendation is based on data from a recently completed trial showing that those on lower dose had fewer adverse
GMHC Treatment Issues; Volume 4 no. 1 January 29, 1990
After long, unexplained delays, the FDA has approved this anti-fungal drug for two AIDS related indications: cryptococcal meningitis (for acute and maintenance treatment) and severe systemic or oral candidiasis ( thrush ). While it is a relief that Fluconazole will soon be avail
GMHC Treatment Issues; Volume 4 no. 1 January 29, 1990
Christopher Kales, M.D.
While pneumonia due to PCP is the most well known pulmonary infection associated with HIV disease, pneumonia caused by bacteria is also very common. This article describes some of the more common bacterial pneumonias that have been reported in persons with HIV infection. Symptoms, methods of diagnosis and treatments wi
GMHC Treatment Issues; Volume 4 no. 1 January 29, 1990
Victoria Nott
For people who have never been exposed to the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis (T. gondii), prevention of primary exposure is an important strategy. To minimize exposure, people who are HIV-positive should not eat raw or undercooked meat, especially lamb and pork. Hands should be washed after handling raw meat or veg
GMHC Treatment Issues; Volume 4 no. 1 January 29, 1990
Editor
Editor s note: In this Treatment Issues, we inaugurate a new regular column that will focus on preventative strategies for opportunistic infections. Aggressive prophylactic treatment for PCP has dramatically lowered the incidence of this often fatal pneumonia and increased average survival in AIDS. It is time to turn
GMHC Treatment Issues; Volume 4 no. 1 January 29, 1990
Karen Dennis
Naltrexone has been proposed as an immunomodulator which may slow the progression of HIV disease. While it appears to be safe, not much evidence exists on its effectiveness in AIDS. This article will outline the proposed mechanism of action of the drug and its performance thus far in clinical trials. Background Naltr
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