DESENSITIZATION AND DRUG HABITUATION IN H IV-POSITIVE SUBJECTS

The frequency of allergic drug reactions is increased in HIV-infected patients and primarily, but not exclusively, concerns sulphonamides. C urrent data of the literature confirm that cotrimoxazole is the most e ffective and least expensive form of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia pr ophylaxis in HIV-positive patients, but is unfortunately also the leas t well tolerated drug. Slow and progressive reintroduction (or desensi tization) can generally be performed and is effective in most (60 to 9 5 %) intolerant patients. It is performed over an interval of several hours to several weeks. Similar cases of intolerance to HIV reverse tr anscriptase inhibitor nucleosides and to HIV-specific protease inhibit ors have occasionally been described and have sometimes been successfu lly treated by desensitization.