Inclusion Criteria
Concurrent Medication:
Required:
- Aerosolized pentamidine (300 mg once a month) for PCP prophylaxis in patients with CD4 count <= 200 cells/mm3. (Patients with CD4 count > 200 cells/mm3 who are already on aerosolized pentamidine may continue such therapy at the discretion of the investigator.)
Allowed:
- Prophylaxis against Mycobacterium avium Complex in patients with CD4 count <= 100 cells/mm3.
Concurrent Treatment:
Allowed:
- Local treatment for Kaposi's sarcoma lesions with less than 25 percent increase in measurable disease.
Patients must have:
- HIV antibody positivity.
- Absolute CD4 count < 500 cells/mm3 on two determinations within 15 days prior to study entry.
- At least 6 months of prior zidovudine (AZT) therapy.
- No active opportunistic infection requiring ongoing therapy.
- Normal neurologic status by standard assessment.
- Life expectancy of at least 6 months.
Exclusion Criteria
Co-existing Condition:
Patients with the following symptoms and conditions are excluded:
- Neoplasm other than basal cell carcinoma of the skin or stable untreated HIV-related Kaposi's sarcoma (provided there is no progression in the Kaposi's sarcoma beyond 25 percent of measurable disease).
- Clinically significant cardiac disease.
- Known hypersensitivity to polyene antibiotics.
Patients with the following prior conditions are excluded:
- History of myocardial infarction or arrhythmias.
Prior Medication:
Excluded within 2 weeks prior to study entry:
- Antiretroviral agents or interferons.
- Biological response modifiers.
- Corticosteroids.
- Cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents.
- Drugs that can cause neutropenia or significant nephrotoxicity.
- Rifampin or rifampin derivatives.
- Systemic anti-infectives.
Prior Treatment:
Excluded within 2 weeks prior to study entry:
- Radiation therapy. Active drug or alcohol abuse.
Purpose
