Comparison of ribavirin and placebo in CDC group III human immunodeficiency virus infection

doi:10.1016/0140-6736(91)90003-8

The Lancet

Volume 338, Issue 8758, 6 July 1991, Pages 6-9

https://doi.org/10.1016/0140-6736(91)90003-8 Get rights and content

Abstract

To assess the efficacy and safety of ribavirin in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection a multicentre, placebo-controlled, prospectively randomised trial was conducted in CDC group III HIV-infected individuals between February, 1988, and October, 1989. Mean treatment time was 39 weeks (range 6-52); 152 individuals were enrolled, of whom 133 could be evaluated. The two treatment groups were similar at baseline and 66% of all subjects had intravenous drug abuse as the main risk factor for HIV infection. Ribavirin was given at a dose of 15 mg/kg daily by mouth (average daily dose 1000 mg). 9 of 67 patients in the placebo group (13·4%) progressed to CDC Groups IVA, C1, or D vs 6 of 66 (9%) in the ribavirin group. Progressions to group IVC2 were 7 (10·4%) and 9 (13·6%), respectively. These differences are not statistically significant. There were no clinically or statistically significant differences in CD4 cell counts, total lymphocytes, total white cells, or CD4/CD8 ratios between the two groups during treatment, and no clinically important side-effects were noted.

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¹: Correspondence to Dr José M Gatell, Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital Clinic Villarroel, 170 08036 Barcelona, Spain.

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Comparison of ribavirin and placebo in CDC group III human immunodeficiency virus infection

Abstract

Lancet

Int J Biochem

Biochemistry and clinical applications of ribavirin

Antimicrob Agents Chemother

Ribavirin treatment of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome related complex (ARC)

Ann Intern Med

Ribavirin pharmacodynamics in high risk patients for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Clin Pharmacol Ther

A multicenter clinical trial of oral ribavirin in HIV-infected patients with lymphadenopathy

J AIDS

A phase I increasing dose trial of oral ribavirin (RBV) in patients with AIDS and ARC

Zidovudine in asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection: a controlled trial in persons with fewer than 500 CD4-positive cells per cubic millimeter

N Engl J Med

Classification system for human T-lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-assodated virus infections

MMWR