Finding a role for zalcitabine in the HAART era.
Zalcitabine (ddC) is a nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor with demonstrated clinical benefit in combination use. More widespread use of zalcitabine has been limited by a number of factors including peripheral neuropathy and three times daily dosing. However, screening for the risk factors for peripheral neuropathy may enable a reduction in the incidence of neuropathy to below 10%. Additionally, new data on the use of zalcitabine twice daily suggest, based on the long intracellular half-life of the active triphosphate, that this is feasible. Additionally, while limited data exist for zalcitabine in true HAART combinations, data from small trials suggest a similar proportion of responders to standard HAART regimens.
Moyle
G J
GJ
Kobler Clinic, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
Gazzard
B G
BG
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019258:Saquinavir / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016047:Zalcitabine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D019259:Lamivudine; D015215:Zidovudine; D016047:Zalcitabine; D019258:Saquinavir