kdavis@lll-crg.llnl.gov (Ken Davis) (12/02/89)
AIDS TREATMENT NEWS Issue # 91, November 17 1989
CONTENTS: [items are separated by "*****" for this display]
Hypericin Survey Report
World AIDS Day, December 1
San Francisco: AIDS Clinical Care Program, December 11 and 12
Hypericin Survey Replies
*****
HYPERICIN SURVEY REPORT
On June 2, AIDS TREATMENT NEWS published a survey asking
readers about their experience in using hypericin, an antiviral
which is available in extracts of St. John's wort, a plant which
has long been used as a medicinal herb. 101 people returned
questionnaires by the deadline, which was extended to July 15;
eleven others returned theirs later, and we decided to report on
all 112 together. We published a brief overview of some of the
results on October 6 (issue #88).
For the scientific background on laboratory and animal stu-
dies of hypericin as an antiretroviral, see Lavie and others,
1989, and Meruelo and others, 1988 (references below).
Note: The survey presented here should not be confused with
the ongoing monitoring study by the Community Research Alliance
(CRA) in San Francisco, which was described in our last issue;
the two projects are entirely separate. In the CRA study, the 33
volunteers are all following a common protocol -- with the same
baseline tests before anyone started using hypericin, the same
scheduled followup for medical examinations and blood work, and
all testing done at the same laboratory. The survey reported in
this article, however, could not collect systematic information;
it could only obtain whatever information the respondents had
available. Surveys can be done rapidly and at low cost, but
their limitations must be considered.
We designed our questionnaire to be as easy as possible to
use; for example, it was only one page long, including space for
replies. To obtain better information, we asked people to reply
in their own words, rather than using multiple-choice or similar
questions often chosen for easy statistical tabulation. Statis-
tics would be unreliable in this case, because such an uncon-
trolled survey could not possibly hope to "prove" that hypericin
does or does not work. Instead, we asked people to let us know
what possible side effects they found -- and similarly, what pos-
sible benefits.
Instead of giving statistical tabulations, we decided to
approach this survey as journalists, reporting the results as we
might report any other news. But if we only gave a summary,
readers would have no way to check our judgment. Therefore we
decided to list the benefits, side effects, and other results
reported in people's own words, deleting any identifying informa-
tion, of course. We will give our interpretations, but readers
can check our conclusions or draw their own (see the lists below,
in Hypericin Survey Replies).
The bottom line, in our view, can be seen in the lists of
side effects and the benefits. 27 of the 112 respondents
reported side effects, but most of them were minor; very few
required stopping the hypericin. But the benefits -- reported by
65 of the 112 -- are usually significant. Some directly affect
quality of life, and others suggest improvement in underlying
health. Most are benefits that persons with HIV would want to
have. (And the 47 who did not report benefits do not all
represent failures of the treatment, as some of them were asymp-
tomatic and had no way to register a benefit because there was
nothing to improve.)
56 of the 112 respondents reported symptoms which failed to
improve while they used hypericin. This list shows that despite
reports of benefits, the hypericin-containing herbal extracts are
far from the whole answer.
The list of general comments gives a sense of what people
felt about this treatment after using it. And the appendix gives
information about preparations and doses used, how long people
had been using hypericin extracts, and what other treatments they
were using.
DETAILS
Over 5,000 copies of the survey were mailed with our June 2
issue. As stated above, 112 completed questionnaires were
returned.
Replies to the open-ended questions could be any length, and
a few were many pages long, but most fit into a single typed
line. We abbreviated or selected from the longer ones, to fit
them into a one-line format for the lists below. In these lists,
the replies which were shortened are usually indicated by lines
of the maximum length, as we tried to fit in as much material as
possible; the short replies are usually reproduced verbatim.
We corrected spelling and did minor editing for clarity, but
did not try to correct any substantive errors.
REFERENCES
Lavie, G. and others. Studies of the mechanisms of action of the
antiretroviral agents hypericin and pseudohypericin. Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, volume 86, pages 5963-
5967, August 1989.
Meruelo, D. and others. Therapeutic agents with dramatic antire-
troviral activity and little toxicity at effective doses:
Aromatic polycyclic diones hypericin and pseudohypericin.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, volume 85,
pages 5230-5234, July 1988.
*****
WORLD AIDS DAY, DECEMBER 1
Executive directors and board presidents of dozens of AIDS
organizations plan to risk arrest at a White House demonstration
on World AIDS Day. Protesters -- not all of whom plan civil
disobedience -- will gather at 11 AM, December 1, at Lafayette
Park, across the street from the White House.
The purpose of the action is "to call attention to the con-
tinuing failure of the Federal government to respond to the AIDS
epidemic and to call for more direct and assertive leadership by
President Bush." AIDS cases in the United States are expected to
double in the next two years, and the community organizations
which have created a model of how to respond effectively cannot
continue to do the job without support. Government attention,
leadership, and resources are needed now to prevent many
thousands of unnecessary deaths.
Organizations involved include AIDS Action Council, Dallas
AIDS Resource Center, Gay Men's Health Crisis, Lambda Legal
Defense and Education Fund, Mobilization Against AIDS, National
Association of People With AIDS, National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force, Project Inform, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and ACT
UP/NY. For more information, call the World AIDS Day Coalition,
202/332-6483.
In a separate action near San Francisco, ACT UP/SF will pro-
test the high price of AZT. For more information, call 415/563-
0724.
Besides protests, World AIDS Day is marked by ceremonies,
conferences, speeches, and other events in almost every country
in the world. In Washington D. C., the Pan American Health
Organization will sponsor talks by leading experts and government
officials. The American Association for World Health, also in
Washington, is coordinating events throughout the United States.
Every major city is planning some kind of observance, usually
focused on Youth, this year's theme for World AIDS Day.
World AIDS Day was first officially observed on December 1
of last year.
*****
SAN FRANCISCO: AIDS CLINICAL CARE PROGRAM, DECEMBER 11 AND 12
The University of California and San Francisco General Hos-
pital are sponsoring a training program, "Clinical Care of the
AIDS Patient," at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in San Francisco, on
December 11 and 12. Topics include prevention and treatment of
HIV, oral, cutaneous, hematological, and neurological complica-
tions, and talks on different opportunistic infections and malig-
nancies. There are sessions on diagnosis, children with AIDS,
risks to health-care workers, and legal matters.
The registration fee is $250.00; the program is also partly
funded by Burroughs-Wellcome. It provides 13 hours continuing
education credit for physicians.
For registration information, call 415/476-5808.
*****
HYPERICIN SURVEY REPLIES: BENEFITS REPORTED
The following table shows the benefits that people believed
might have been due to hypericin (in St. John's wort extract).
Most are in the respondents' own words; we abbreviated a few so
that they would fit into one line of the table below.
The sequence number ("Seq"), on the left, can be used to
connect these reports of benefits with the reports of side
effects, other drugs taken, etc., in the tables below.
65 out of the 112 who completed the survey reported bene-
fits. The actual picture is brighter than this proportion sug-
gests, because some of the 47 remaining were asymptomatic, and
not candidates for this table because they had nothing to
improve. The list below also excludes those who only reported
stable health; it only includes those who listed an improvement.
The 112 completed questionnaires were given sequence numbers
arbitrarily, so they are in no special order. Those returned
first tend to have the lowest sequence numbers. We did not read
the questionnaires, or sort them in any way, until after the
sequence numbers were assigned.
Seq Benefits
4 Some reduction of recurrent skin rashes.
5 24 percent increase in T-4 count over 5 weeks 2 days.
6 Symptoms went away, feel better.
8 Initial 10 percent increase in T-4 cell.
11 More energy, feeling of well being, decrease in skin
and oral problems.
12 T-helper count.
15 Slight increase in T-cells, feel better, have more
energy.
18 MAI coughing and mucus virtually gone, less fatigue,
more energy, lymph glands normal.
21 More energy, loosened phlegm, sense of well being,
reduced toxicity of AZT.
22 Weaned myself off anti-depressants.
25 Fewer anger attacks, improved mental view, increased
white and neutrophil counts, feel good.
26 T-cells stay on plateau (400-600), no excessive
fatigue.
27 T-4 cells up, T-4/T-8 ratio improved; after first month
back to original.
31 Brighter, return of sense of humor, less tired, desire
to do more.
32 Feel good, tested antigen negative, T-4 cells doubled
(24 to 56).
33 Initial burst of energy, positive view until present,
no medical benefit.
34 Improved T-cell counts: 620 to 1000 to 1100.
35 Higher energy, sense of well being.
39 Skin condition improvements, lupus in upper arm is
gone.
44 Feel better, blood work up, platelets increased.
45 Feel better overall.
46 More energy, sense of well being.
50 Initial increase in energy, then back to baseline.
52 T-4 went from 268 to 386.
53 Improved energy level, hairy leukoplakia and oral
thrush gone overnight after 6 weeks.
54 No severe headaches since a week after I started
taking.
55 Increased feeling of well being; no tests done yet to
see physical benefit.
57 White blood count increased from 5.4 to 5.8, firmer
stools.
58 Improved sense of well being, faster recovery from
problems.
59 Drop in p24 and beta 2 microglobulin, increase in white
blood count.
61 Increase in energy and mental clarity.
62 Feeling better; herpes simplex improving, but also
taking large dose acyclovir.
64 T-4 from 400 to 600, red blood count 4.0 to 8.4, white
blood count 4.0 to 11.0.
66 Leveling off of T-cell drop.
67 33 percent rise in T-cell count.
69 8-10 lb. weight gain, T-4 cells from 18 to 54.
71 Overall energy better, some weight gain.
75 Maintenance of good health, p24 went negative.
77 Dramatic increase in energy, cleared oral thrush and
folliculitis.
78 More energy, higher libido.
79 Lower temperatures, 7 lb. weight gain, better
attitude.
80 Stomach symptoms may have improved slightly.
81 T-4 improvement.
83 Increased energy, increased appetite.
84 Energy increase, fewer infections, p24 has gone
negative.
85 Feeling better.
86 Increase in T-4.
88 Increased energy, less opportunistic infections.
90 T-cell increase, swollen glands decreased.
91 Increased energy, feeling well, chronic cough almost
gone after 4 years, p24 to 0.
93 Headaches and sore throat gone, hairy leukoplakia is
improving.
94 Slight improvement in mental outlook.
95 Improved T-cells, SGOT, SGPT, platelets.
97 More energy, less mouth sores and thrush, less skin
dryness.
98 Less winded, more energy, better sense of well being.
99 More energetic, generally feel better.
101 More energy.
102 Increased energy and sense of well being.
103 More energy, decrease of hairy leukoplakia, lymph
node improved.
105 Skin rash disappeared.
106 Beta-2 microglobulin went from 4.7 to 3.2.
108 Increase in T-cells, improvement in mood.
109 Some increase in energy levels initially.
111 Less swelling in lymph nodes, elimination of chronic 6-
month sinus infection, more energy.
112 Increased energy, increased appetite, decreased
lymphadenopathy, less night sweats.
SIDE EFFECTS REPORTED
27 of the 112 questionnaires reported side effects (below).
Few were serious enough to require stopping the treatment.
SEQ SIDE EFFECTS
2 Perhaps dizziness, fatigue; liver tests always normal.
6 Sleepiness.
9 Drowsiness.
11 Minor sunburn on short exposure.
17 Severe rash, itching, skin blotches.
18 Sluggish on 2nd day of 5cc dosage each week.
21 Occasional nausea (mild).
22 More susceptible to sunburn.
23 Fullness in head, emotionally volubility for few hours
after taking hypericin.
32 Had possible skin allergy after taking capsules.
36 Farting -- stops within 24 hours of taking the pill.
47 Swallowing pills makes me choke and throw up.
50 Occasionally feel pain in liver; not verified by blood
work.
51 Bowel movements chalk color; maybe photosensitivity, ok
with #20 sunscreen.
56 Diarrhea (corrected by using "colon conditioner" fiber
supplement), lower T-4.
59 Minor drowsiness.
77 Very hyper, bitchy mood, edgy and irritable after 5
weeks of daily use.
78 Loose bowel movements in afternoon/early evening,
following normal one in morning.
93 Fatigued at 40 drops twice daily, increase in liver
enzymes.
94 Tinnitus, possibly antagonist of Xanax, sleeplessness.
95 Increased appetite.
96 Nausea, lack of appetite, chest cold and diarrhea; not
sure if hypericin.
97 Nausea and dizziness, possibly liver related, then went
away; liver normal 2 weeks later.
101 Some fever, oral dryness.
102 Elevated liver enzymes; hypericin discontinued.
107 Purple rash (failed to recur when hypericin resumed).
111 Mild diarrhea, altered taste sensation -- metallic taste.
SYMPTOMS WHICH FAILED TO IMPROVE
56 of the 112 reported the following symptoms which failed
to improve while they were using hypericin.
Seq Failed To Improve
2 Fatigue, T-4 counts, diarrhea.
8 Fatigue.
10 Fatigue, nausea.
11 Foot and other fungal problems.
14 Neuropathy in feet, fatigue.
16 Weight loss.
18 Neuropathy -- foot numbness and calf pain.
19 T-cells decreased.
20 P24 still positive, declining T-cells.
22 Joint pain continues when symptoms flare.
24 Muscle aches and joint pain.
25 T-4, p24.
26 Lymphadenopathy.
27 Hairy leukoplakia.
30 Impetigo, psoriasis.
33 Thrush, neuropathy, low counts due to bone marrow TB.
37 Skin rashes.
39 Seborrhea, lymphadenopathy, fatigue.
41 Hairy leukoplakia seems even worse.
42 Skin rash around waist.
43 Diarrhea, weight loss, malaise, fever.
45 Rash.
50 Fatigue back after first week.
51 White blood count low, problems sleeping all night.
54 Peripheral neuropathy.
56 No increase in energy t-counts.
57 Neuropathy in legs.
59 No rise in T-4 or T-4/T-8 ratio, rise in killer T-8's.
61 T-cell count remained same slightly lower.
66 Acute lymphadenopathy, OHL.
68 Recurring herpes simplex and zoster.
71 KS, thrush.
72 Glands still swollen periodically.
73 Beta 2 microglobulin.
74 Antigen positive, fatigue, skin infections, diarrhea.
76 Sore throat which has been intermittent for 2 years.
78 Oral thrush.
79 Weakness after modest exertion.
80 T-cells 330 to 136, night sweats, low fever, fatigue.
81 Loose stool.
84 Skin problems, blood work.
85 KS spots.
86 Haven't gained weight.
88 T-cell count.
90 Loose bowel movements which I attribute to dextran
sulfate.
91 T-4 cell.
92 Too early to tell yet: weight loss, fever, sweats,
thrush.
93 Low T-cells.
95 Seborrhea.
99 Fevers and lymphadenopathy.
101 Fatigue, some nausea.
104 T-4 count varied.
105 T-cells decreased.
106 Thrush, fevers, occasional night sweats.
109 KS, possible MAI, wasting syndrome.
112 Chronic diarrhea, skin problems when bitten by insects.
GENERAL COMMENTS
All but seven of the 112 who replied included comments,
which we asked for on the questionnaire. As in the other tables,
we selected or abbreviated when necessary to fit each comment
into one line. This table provides an overall sense of what
people thought of the treatment.
Seq Comments
1 Probably not toxic, can't tell about efficacy, may
increase dose.
2 Wish I saw better results, white cell count from
4.6 to 5.2, though.
3 Dramatic T-cell increase, very good health, can't
tell what treatment is working.
4 Optimistic, appears to be safe and without side
effects.
5 Optimistic, appears to be safe and without side
effects.
6 (8 pages, cannot summarize).
7 Just started at low dose, too early to say much.
8 Not noticed increased sensitivity to light, liver
panel normal.
9 T-helper and suppressor cells both down, ratio the
same.
10 Ineffective so far.
11 Feel positive, in better health, blood tests next
week.
13 No clinical test results, or side effects, so far.
14 Doubtful, though treatment may not have been long
or strong enough.
15 Keeps me on more even emotional keel, feel well
with good energy.
16 No difference so far; other treatments, diabetes
may interfere.
18 I don't understand it, but it's working.
19 Good health all along, T-cell decline continues.
20 I think it has some value, but not sure what that
is.
21 Seems beneficial.
22 Have chronic fatigue, not HIV; thought it would
help joint pain, it has somewhat.
23 Jury still out though I'm hopeful.
24 Willing to give it time, hope it will be backup for
AZT.
25 Improved mental outlook, white count 1.6 to 2.7,
neutrophils 800 to 1404.
26 Believe works synergistically with medications to
keep T-cells stable, prevent OIs.
27 Still have faith in it, feel fine, convinced four
friends to try it.
28 Don't know, haven't felt different.
29 Too soon to say.
30 Easy to take with no apparent adverse reactions,
had to stop AZT earlier.
31 Look forward to higher T-cells, feeling of well
being has increased.
32 Think hypericum has had a positive effect; hard to
know, with other treatments.
34 Surprised at jump in T's when taking the tea, now
on tablets, so far excellent.
35 Too short a time period to draw any further
conclusions.
36 No opinion at this time.
37 Too early to tell, will continue, hope t-cells
improve.
38 Not sure, waiting on blood tests.
39 I hope it helps.
40 Unsure of effectiveness but had no major problems
since started.
41 It seems only to be like a vitamin.
42 Some promise based on anecdotal reports, not enough
personal data to assess.
43 Not sure what to think, no change apparent yet.
44 Blood work has improved.
45 I'm positive about hypericin, don't know if it is
reacting to the virus.
46 I like it and feel positive about using it; what do I
have to lose?
47 Hope it will help p24 and T's, wish it were easier to
swallow.
48 Too soon to tell, was attracted by the few reports
of p24 antigen going negative.
49 No effect, I'm asymptomatic except reduced energy.
50 Taking hypericin for three weeks, feel no different.
51 Easy to take in pill form, confusion on dose, cannot
get liver tests paid for.
52 I have no idea (whether it works or not).
55 Think it's great so far; just about to take tests to
see if any benefit.
56 Too early to tell, have not had increase in energy
level.
58 Too early to tell, subjectively seems worthwhile.
59 Potentially promising therapy which needs critical
investigation.
61 Surprised by how good I felt, more energy for work,
mental attitude.
62 Seems to be helping, but I increased acyclovir at the
same time.
63 Honestly I cannot tell, but I am an experimenter.
64 Blood values improved, feel better, less fungal skin
infections.
65 I have no opinion other than what I read.
66 Convenient and cheap, don't think Herb Pharm is
efficient enough.
67 T-count increase could have been from stress relief,
or Carrisyn.
68 Not sure about hypericin, but feel good about it.
69 After PCP in Oct 1986, last thing I expected was
significant weight gain, T-cell increase.
70 Unsure to date.
71 Seems to be helpful but hard to separate specific
effects.
72 I feel it's working, so I continue to take it with
supervision of doctor.
73 After last blood test (6/21/89), increased hypericin
dose from 2 to 3 tablets/day.
74 Easy, fairly inexpensive, it hasn't seemed to do much
for me.
75 Believe it does work against HIV, but needs more study
on dose, much potential.
76 Simple to use, low cost.
77 I'm very positive about hypericin, problem of dosage to
prevent bitchy, nasty, hyper mood.
78 Impressed with increase in energy; can't be sure it's
hypericin.
79 It may be helping a little, is cheap, no side effects;
can't be sure, PATH helped before.
80 No clear benefit for two months -- until started AZT and
acyclovir.
81 Firming of stools, increase in energy; believe due to
hypericin, can't be sure.
82 Health continues to be good, but may be due to diet,
vitamins.
83 My experience with it was good, and I don't think it can
hurt.
84 Not seen increases in blood work, it has given boost of
energy, less infection.
85 Seems very worthwhile to try, I feel better than during
last weeks on AZT.
86 Haven't taken it long enough to have an opinion, feel
good, no side effects.
87 Too early to say.
88 Nontoxic, relatively harmless, may be contributing to my
sense of well being.
89 Too early to tell, feel neither better or worse.
90 Believe definitely helped, T-helpers not so high since
starting AZT 18 mo ago.
91 Think hypericin tablets very valuable, major difference
in 4 weeks of 3 or 4/day.
92 Too early to tell, if nothing happens in 1 month will
increase dose.
93 Think hypericin helped, headaches stopped, sore throat
not recurring.
94 At present in available form not helpful, blood tests
worsened.
95 T-cell counts (74 to 120) speak for themselves.
96 Nausea, lack of appetite, bad cold, diarrhea after
starting hypericin.
97 Also use St John's wort oil to rinse tongue 3 times/day,
useful to decrease thrush.
98 Feel much better, almost like new, more energy, stools
normal.
99 Feeling better, improved lifestyle makes drug worthwhile
even if markers do not improvee.
100 I don't think it's doing anything.
101 Reduced HIV neuropathy, doctor recommended
discontinue due to liver function tests.
102 Less tired, in better state of mind, discontinued due to
liver function tests.
103 Not harmful, possibly beneficial, more energy, T-cells up.
104 Unknown, my p24 has always been negative.
105 Inexpensive, accessible, may be most useful
synergistically with other therapies.
106 Doesn't seem to hurt, might even be helping.
107 Just started, no conclusions.
108 I like it.
109 So far seems moderately effective, no harm.
110 Not sure, may prevent deterioration.
111 Pleased with the results based on subjective feelings.
112 Hypericin a great help to me, best with 1/4 dose AZT
(AZT alone no longer worked).
APPENDIX: DOSE, LENGTH OF USE, OTHER TREATMENTS
This table has most of the other information of the ques-
tionnaire. It is provided mainly for readers interested in
further research.
State: Two-letter postal codes for states are included.
This field was left blank for respondents outside the U. S.
Prep: The next column, containing only a 'Y' or 'H', is
the preparation used. We only coded 'Y' for Yerba Prima brand
tablets, and 'H' for Hyperforat brand tincture, as other prepara-
tions were reported infrequently, and it is easier to examine the
forms manually than to computerize the information.
Dose: This column was only entered for the Yerba Prima
tablets. These were used by the large majority of respondents,
and we did not want to risk introducing errors by converting
doses between different formulations.
Weeks: The number of weeks using hypericin is reported.
Other Treatments: If AZT was included, we listed it first,
followed by dosage information if given. A number of respondents
named more treatments than we could put in one line; in these
cases we listed the ones we considered most important for the
purposes of this survey, and ended the line with a '+' to show
that there were others in addition.
Seq State Prep Dose Weeks Other Treatments
1 NJ Y 2 1 AZT 600, Bactrim, prednisone
2 NJ Y 3 11 De Veras beverage, acyclovir
3 AK 6 AZT 300 mg, acyclovir, aloe,
LEM
4 PA Y 14 dextran sulfate, supplements
5 PA 20 dextran sulfate, supplements
6 NY H 10 vitamin C, vitamin a, carrot
juice w avocado, others
7 NY Y 2 1 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
naltrexone
8 TX Y 2 6 AL 721, naltrexone
9 CA Y 2 8 acyclovir, naltrexone, Antabuse
10 VA 4 AZT low dose, acyclovir
11 NY 14 vitamins, homeopathic
remedies
12 CA Y 1 16
13 CA Y 2 8 AZT 1/3 dose, acyclovir,
Bactrim, naltrexone
14 CA 3 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
transfusion
15 TX Y 2 15 iscador
16 Y 2 10 AZT 800, acyclovir,
aerosolized pentamidine, Nizoral, Megace
17 CA Y 2 2 dextran sulfate,
acyclovir, Gamimune, ozone, transfer fact.
18 MA H 5 AZT, astra 10+, isatis,
ganoderma, shiitake, healthy diet, +
19 CA Y 6 6 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
Antabuse, dextran sulfate
20 FL Y 2 15 AZT, acyclovir, dextran
sulfate
21 12 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
shark oil
22 CA Y 2 11 (used for chronic fatigue
not HIV)
23 GA Y 3 10 acyclovir, dextran
sulfate, vitamins, herbs
24 LA Y 3 10 AZT low dose, aerosolized
pentamidine
25 IL 7 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
beta interferon placebo study
26 OR Y 3 13 dextran sulfate, acyclovir,
iscador, transfer factor, DNCB
27 TX Y 10 multivitamins
28 NY 5 dextran sulfate, Imuthiol
29 Y AZT low dose, acyclovir,
Nizoral, astragalus 8, +
30 H 10 Quan Yin herbal treatment,
homeopathic remedies
31 CA Y 6 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
fluconazole
32 AZT low dose, foscarnet,
acyclovir, fluconazole
33 NY H 12 cipro, acyclovir,
pyrazinamide, Myambutol, Lamprene, Nizoral +
34 MA Y 11 AZT triple blind
35 NJ Y 2 5 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
dextran sulfate
36 CA Y 4 acyclovir, AL 721
37 NY Y 2 4 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
sulfoxaprim, dipyridamole
38 NY H 8 naltrexone
39 CA Y 2 5 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
naltrexone, lysine
40 CA Y 3 pentamidine
41 CA Y 2 8 dextran sulfate
42 CA Y 2 4 AL 721
43 CA H 4 AZT
44 LA Y 4 18 AZT
45 PA H 8 acyclovir, Mycelex troche,
acupuncture, vitamins
46 2 peptide shots, Chinese
herbs, vitamins, toxo drugs, echinacea
47 NY Y 2 4 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
fluconazole
48 CA Y 2 3 BHT, vitamins, minerals
49 NY Y 2 9 naltrexone
50 NY H 3 vitamin C, multivitamin,
Prevention Plus
51 NY Y 7 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
folic acid, pentamidine, Nizoral
52 FL Y 7 ozone, typhoid injections
53 PA Y 2 8 herbs, Ri Shi Gen mushrooms
54 H 2 AZT low dose, acyclovir
55 AZ Y 6 16 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
lithium, dextran sulfate
56 CA Y 4 6 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
Antabuse, Zantac, interferon
57 IL Y 3 8 AZT low dose, Chinese herbs
58 CT H 5 AZT, acyclovir, Zantac
59 CA Y 3
60 CA Y 4 4 AZT low dose, acyclovir
61 CA Y 2 13 AZT low dose
62 FL H 3 AZT low dose, acyclovir
63 NY Y 12 AZT low dose, acyclovir
64 CA Y 2 8 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
vitamin B12
65 CA 10 acyclovir
66 WY 16
67 TX Y 2 6 Carrisyn
68 CA 12 AZT low dose, dextran
sulfate, acyclovir, Chinese herbs
69 CA Y 2 16 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
doxycycline, vitamins, BHT, lysine
70 CA Y 4 10 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
Septra, Antabuse
71 NY Y 1 14 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
bleomycin
72 NJ Y 3 14 Antabuse, Humilin
73 CA Y 2 8 Jarrow HNLEL, Antabuse,
naltrex., acyclovir, BHT, dextran
74 NY H 16 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
aerosolized pentamidine
75 CA Y 2 8
76 NY 11 Antabuse
77 NY AZT, acyclovir
78 CA Y 2 4 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
aerosolized pentamidine
79 NY Y 10 AZT low dose, passive
immunotherapy, Nizoral, Megace
80 CA 18 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
isoprinosine
81 NY 32 dextran sulfate, AL 721
82 CA Y 2 20 vitamin C, multivitamins,
vitamin E, selenium, iron, zinc, +
83 CA Y 2 6 compound Q protocol,
aerosolized pentamidine
84 WA 22 acyclovir, aerosolized
pentamidine, ginseng, estagar, +
85 10 AZT low dose, iscador,
naltrexone, Antabuse, aerosol pentam.
86 OH Y 2 7 AZT
87 GA Y 3 3 vitamins, herbs, aerosolized
pentamidine
88 WI Y 2 6 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
lithium, prosac
89 NY Y 3 7 dextran sulfate, Caiazza's
syph. tx, vitamin C, herbs, +
90 NY Y 3 10 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
dextran sulfate
91 NJ Y 4 10 dextran sulfate, shiitake
mushroom, AL 721, Antabuse
92 NC Y 2 2 AZT low dose, aerosolized
pentamidine
93 OH 7 multivitamins, vitamin B,
vitamin C, lysine, Resist, +
94 HI Y 3 12
95 CA 4 aerosolized pentamidine,
factor VIII
96 CA Y 3 AZT, acyclovir
97 vitamin A, vitamin C,
lysine, arginine, selenium, +
98 PA 3 Tagamet, naltrexone
99 Y 4 4 ddI, compound Q
100 CA H 12 AZT, acyclovir,
aerosolized pentamidine
101 CA Y 2 4 AZT low dose,
aerosolized pentamidine
102 PA Y 2 6 Mycelex troches
103 NY Y 3 18 AZT low dose, acyclovir,
dextran sul., lipids, aerosol pentam.
104 CA Y 2 16 dextran sul., AL 721,
naltrex., lentinan, Chinese herbs, homeop.
105 CA Y 4 3 aloe vera, ddI,
acyclovir, Bactrim, Aralen
106 CA Y 2 10 DHPG, pyrimethamine,
leucovorin
107 CA Y 2 4 AZT, aerosolized
pentamidine
108 CA Y 2 12 vitamin C, multivitamin
109 MD Y 2 10 AZT, acyclovir, Seldane,
Zantac, Megace
110 NY Y 2 9 dextran sulfate,
naltrexone
111 NY Y 5
112 NJ Y 2 12 AZT, acyclovir,
Nizoral, Lomotil, Imodium, Antabuse, +
*****
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
AIDS TREATMENT NEWS reports on experimental and complementary
treatments, especially those available now. It collects informa-
tion from medical journals, and from interviews with scientists,
physicians, and other health practitioners, and persons with AIDS
or ARC.
Long-term survivors have usually tried many different treatments,
and found combinations which work for them. AIDS Treatment News
does not recommend particular therapies, but seeks to increase
the options available.
We also examine the ethical and public-policy issues around AIDS
treatment research and treatment access.
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO AIDS TREATMENT NEWS BY MAIL
Send $100.00 per year for 26 issues ($100.00 for nonprofit organ-
izations, $200.00 for businesses and institutions), or $30.00
reduced rate for persons with AIDS or ARC who cannot afford the
regular rate, to: ATN Publications, P. O. Box 411256, San Fran-
cisco, CA 94141. A six-month subscription (13 issues) is $55.00
for individuals or nonprofits, $110.00 for businesses and insti-
tutions, or $16.00 reduced rate. For subscription information
and a sample issue, call 415/255-0588.
To order back issues, send $18.00 for issues #1 through #75, plus
the per-issue cost for each later issue you need. The per-issue
cost is $1.00 reduced rate, $2.00 individual or nonprofit rate,
and $4.00 for businesses and institutions Issues #1 through #75
are out of print and will be backordered until they are available
in the new paperback book. We will mail the more recent issues
immediately and send the book when it is available, sending both
by first-class mail. (Note that issues 1 through 75 will also be
available in bookstores, at a retail price of $12.95.) The back
issues include articles on DDI, compound Q, fluconazole, AZT,
aerosol pentamidine, ganciclovir (DHPG), diclazuril, DHEA, len-
tinan, peptide T, passive immunotherapy, hypericin, and many
other treatments.
Outside North America, add $20.00 per year for airmail postage,
$6.00 airmail for back issues #1 through #75, and $.50 for each
additional issue. Outside U. S. A., send U. S. funds by interna-
tional postal money order, or by travelers checks, or by drafts
or checks on U. S. banks.
To protect your privacy, we mail first class without mentioning
AIDS on the envelope, and we keep our subscriber list confiden-
tial.
Copyright 1989 by John S. James. Permission granted for non-
commercial reproduction.
--
Ken Davis - W6RFN San Francisco, California
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