Inclusion Criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Allowed:

• Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin, but not on a continual basis for > 72 hours.
• Systemic ketoconazole and fluconazole for acute therapy.

Recommended:

• Prophylaxis for PCP. (Primary prophylaxis with TMP / SMX is encouraged.) IV pentamidine may be used in selected cases if not administered on a weekly basis.

Patients must have the following:

• HIV infection.
• Children randomized prior to their eighteenth birthday are eligible. Co-enrollment in either ACTG 179 or 189 is permitted.

Prior Medication:

Allowed:

• Up to six weeks of antiretroviral or immunomodulator treatment excluding steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following conditions or symptoms are excluded:

• Active malignancy.
• Pancreatitis or history of pancreatitis within one year prior to study entry associated with compatible symptoms.
• History of uncontrolled seizure disorder.
• Grade 3 or higher peripheral neuropathy.
• Cardiomyopathy.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

• Chemotherapy for malignancy.
• Oral acidifying agents.
• Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin on a continual basis for > 72 hours.
• Ketoconazole or fluconazole for prophylaxis.
• Drugs with potential to cause peripheral neuropathy or pancreatitis should not be given daily for > 4 weeks.

Patients with the following are excluded:

• Active malignancy.
• Pancreatitis or history of pancreatitis within one year prior to study entry associated with compatible symptoms.
• History of uncontrolled seizure disorder.
• Grade 3 or higher peripheral neuropathy.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

• Steroids.
• Intravenous immunoglobulin.
• Antiretroviral drugs or specific immunomodulator treatment (excluding steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin) for > 6 weeks and within 7 days prior to study entry.

Prior Treatment:

Excluded:

• Red blood cell transfusion within four weeks prior to study entry.

Ongoing drug or alcohol use.