Prescription drug use patterns of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients taking zidovudine. Walter Reed Retrovirus Research Group.
Prescription drug profiles of 116 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients taking zidovudine in 1988 were surveyed. Patients received the drug an average of 236 days. About one-third (32 percent) required reduced dosage presumably because of hematologic toxicity and this was associated with length of time on the drug. Zidovudine dosage reduction was not associated with concurrent therapy with either acetaminophen or acyclovir. Concomitant drug therapy was common, especially with systemic antifungals (47 percent), antivirals (33 percent), nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (23 percent), and antidepressants (20 percent), as well as topical fungicides (35 percent) and antiinflammatory agents (28 percent). Over three-fourths of patients on zidovudine were on chemoprophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, most often with pentamidine inhalation therapy. This study showed that the HIV-infected patient population is being treated concomitantly with many pharmacologic agents prescribed by various medical specialties.
Bjornson
D C
DC
Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307.
Meyer
D E
DE
Hiner
W O
WO
Tramont
E C
EC
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006801:Humans; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D015215:Zidovudine