title: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) dose escalation versus direct rechallenge for Pneumocystis Carinii pneumonia prophylaxis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with previous adverse reaction to TMP-SMZ.
abstract: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) is the most effective Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) prophylactic agent, but adverse reactions are common among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and limit its use. This randomized, double-blind controlled trial compared 2 methods of TMP-SMZ reintroduction, 6-day dose escalation and direct rechallenge, for PCP prophylaxis in HIV-infected patients who had experienced previous treatment-limiting reactions. The primary end point was the ability to take single-strength TMP-SMZ daily for 6 months. Seventy-five percent of the dose-escalation group and 57% of the direct-rechallenge group continued to receive daily single-strength TMP-SMZ for 6 months (P= .014). Among premature discontinuations, 58% of the dose-escalation group and 70% of the direct-rechallenge group were due to adverse reactions. None of these reactions was serious. This study provides evidence that it is possible to successfully reintroduce TMP-SMZ to a significant proportion of HIV-infected patients who have experienced mild-to-moderate treatment-limiting adverse reactions.
authors.affiliation: HIVCare, San Francisco, California, USA.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Leoung
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Stanford
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Giffen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wesley
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sarracco
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dratter
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Frost
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D044469:Racial Groups; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination