AEGiS-GMHC: TREATMENT BRIEFS: MAC Trials

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

TREATMENT BRIEFS: MAC Trials

The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - Volume 6, Number 2 - February 1992
Derek Link

According to Abbott Labs, interim data from the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) study of clarithromycin for MAC treatment ( 1000 mg vs 2000 mg per day) show the drug is able to reduce the amount of mycobacteria in blood and to alleviate some symptoms. Both drug levels seem to be equally safe and effective. Development of resistant organisms has been found in up to one-third of patients by the 1 2th week of treatment. Although the meaning of this resistance is not yet determined, it seems likely that clarithromycin will be most effective when used in combination with other anti-MAC agents for MAC treatment.

The long proposed ACTG study of clarithromycin as a MAC prophylaxis has recently been cancelled. Nonetheless, Abbott plans to proceed with a prophylaxis study either through the CPCRA or privately financed centers. If the data on rifabutin as a MAC prophylaxis are positive, studies using placebo will become unethical, and all new treatments will need to be compared to rifabutin.

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