heleen@hivnet.ooc.uva.nl (Heleen Riper) (05/25/91)
hi, if want some information for a friend of mine, he is at the point that azt as drug is not working so effective, now that have propose them a combination of azt and ddc, does some one have experience with this combination or know things about side effects and so on? thanks
th1h+@andrew.cmu.edu (Timothy J. Haggerty) (05/29/91)
The combination of the two antivirals ddc and azt have been getting a lot of press recently as a new way to combat HIV infection. From what I understand, the rationale is that the two drugs combat the virus in different ways, and thus are more efficient, and less toxic (since you take less of each). I don't really have any information on the toxicity of DDC, except I believe the limiting toxicity is, like ddI, peripheral neuropathy. Some things you might want to check out -- -- Exactly what phase of the treatment pipeline is the combination? Right now, this combination (I think) is still in trial, so the dosage may not be determined, and it might be difficult to access ddc, in particular. If he can get it, this looks like the way to go, right now. -- If your friend is becoming less responsive to AZT, might he want to discuss using ddI with a physicain. which is now available on a compassionate use basis? Although, to be honest, AZT and DDC in combination seems to be doing unexpectedly well -- -- Can your friend get on any drug trial? Right now, I believe that ACTG trial 1515, on the efficacy of these two drugs, should be under active recruitment. If you can, gt a hold of the AmFar trials book, or call 1-800-trials-a to get information on the trials. You would need to be near a ACTG trial group that is doing the collection of data. (By the way, this is a great way of getting free drugs). -- Besides the ACTG trial groups, you might want to look through the AmFar book for trials at the NIH, in Bethesda. If you are accepted into the protocol, your health care is paid for for the time of the trial.