The safety and efficacy of zidovudine (AZT) in the treatment of subjects with mildly symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection

Article Abstract:

The effectiveness and safety of zidovudine (AZT) in the early treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection were assessed in 711 HIV-infected patients with mild symptoms. Three hundred and fifty-one patients received a placebo (a substance with no therapeutic effect) and 360 patients received 200 milligrams of zidovudine orally every four hours over 11 months. The number of CD4 T cells, a type of immune cell, was measured throughout the study. Fifty-one patients developed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), AIDS-related complex (ARC), or died. Among HIV-infected patients with 200 to 500 CD4 T cells per cubic millimeter (mm) before treatment, 34 HIV-related events occurred in patients receiving placebos, and 12 events developed patients receiving zidovudine. A low number of events was associated with both placebo and drug-treated patients with 500 to 799 CD4 T cells per cubic mm before therapy. Yeast infection and levels of HIV antigen in the blood (the HIV component in the blood that activates an immune response) increased the risk of HIV-related events. After four weeks of therapy, zidovudine markedly improved CD4 T counts in patients with 200 to 500 cells per cubic mm before therapy, and improvement persisted through week 52. Zidovudine also decreased blood levels of HIV antigen. Serious anemia (a decrease in red blood cells and the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood) and neutropenia (a decreased number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell) occurred in five percent or less of zidovudine-treated patients. The results show that zidovudine delayed the progression of HIV disease and caused few adverse effects in HIV-infected patients with less than 500 CD4 T cells per cubic mm. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Measurement, HIV infection, HIV infections, T cells

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Alternating and intermittent regimens of zidovudine and dideoxycytidine in patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex

Article Abstract:

Alternating treatment with the drugs zidovudine and dideoxycytidine (ddC) in patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex may minimize the toxic effects associated with using either one alone. Of 131 patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex, 38 alternated treatment with zidovudine and ddC weekly, 40 alternated treatment monthly, 18 took zidovudine every other week, 17 took ddC every other week and 18 took only zidovudine. Levels of CD4 cells, which are depleted as a consequence of HIV infection, were lowest among patients who only received zidovudine. Average weight gain was greater among patients undergoing alternating treatments than among patients taking only zidovudine. Toxic side effects were significantly lower than expected among patients alternately receiving zidovudine and ddC. No patient alternating drugs had to permanently withdraw from drug treatment.

Evaluation, AIDS-related complex, Zalcitabine

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