EFFICACY OF SEQUENTIAL DIDEOXYCYTIDINE AN D ZIDOVUDINE IN STAGE-IV HIV-1 INFECTION - PHASE-II STUDY

Seventeen HIV-1-infected individuals were given AZT (100 mg tid) and d dC (0.375 mg tid) for consecutive periods of four weeks each and for t otal periods ranging from 8 to 32 weeks (median 17). Thirteen patients were offered AZT/ddC after having received other anti-retroviral comb inations containing AZT, whereas in four it was used as front therapy. Before and after AZT/ddC, the median CD4 cell count changed from 184 to 164/uL (p NS), and the median body weight from 60 to 61 kg (p NS). Increases in hematological parameters were observed in patients previo usly exposed to AZT. In eight patients the side effects of AZT (gastro intestinal intolerance, cephalalgia and fever) dissapeared when switch ed to ddC, whereas in one a reversible peripheral neuropathy ensued. T he dosages of AZT/ddC used in this trial were well tolerated.