AEGiS-GMHC: IN BRIEF: Combination Drugs to Decrease Toxicity of AZT

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

IN BRIEF: Combination Drugs to Decrease Toxicity of AZT

Gay Men's Health Crisis Treatment Issues, Vol. 5, No. 7 - October, 1991

A report from a group of investigators in Los Angeles claims success in preventing low red blood cell counts (anemia) and low white blood cell counts (neutropenia) related to AZT by using the combination of erythropoeiten (EPO) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Twenty-two anemic and neutropenic patients with AIDS or ARC interrupted their AZT therapy and received recombinant EPO (product name, EPOGEN) and G-CSF. Patients had increases in both red and white blood counts within two to eight weeks.

Once AZT was restarted, six patients developed anemia, requiring blood transfusions and another interruption of AZT therapy; however, the remainder were able to tolerate large doses of the drug without recurrence of anemia or neutropenia. Opportunistic infections occurred in 14 patients, yet were treated successfully (many with ganciclovir) without recurrence of neutropenia. This small study, reported in a recent issue of Blood, suggests that the combination seems safe and is effective in counterbalancing the main hematologic side effects of AZT. Unfortunately, both of these drugs are administered by injections and both are very costly.

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