Successful prophylaxis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in AIDS patients with previous allergic reactions.
Thirty-four homosexual patients with AIDS were treated for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia between April 1984 and November 1985. All 31 survivors were treated with oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) prophylaxis immediately upon completion of intravenous therapy, despite the prior occurrence of hypersensitivity reactions to intravenous TMP-SMX in 21 of these patients. Only four patients had subsequent reactions to oral TMP-SMX requiring the drug's discontinuation. None of the patients remaining on prophylaxis developed recurrent Pneumocystis pneumonia. Oral TMP-SMX appears effective at preventing recurrent Pneumocystis pneumonia in patients with AIDS. Hypersensitivity reactions during therapy with TMP-SMX may not be a contraindication to continuation of therapy and subsequent oral prophylaxis.
Shafer
R W
RW
Department of Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York 10021.
Seitzman
P A
PA
Tapper
M L
ML
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012008:Recurrence; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013607:Tablets; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013607:Tablets; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D014295:Trimethoprim; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole