A Controlled Trial Comparing the Efficacy of Aerosolized Pentamidine and Parenteral / Oral Trimethoprim - Sulfamethoxazole in the Treatment of Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia in AIDS

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This is a randomized double-blinded controlled study comparing aerosolized pentamidine with trimethoprim plus sulfamethoxazole (TMP / PurposeX). The latter drug will be administered intravenously for at least 5 days, then changed to oral administration if warranted by the patient's clinical condition.

Official Title
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A Controlled Trial Comparing the Efficacy of Aerosolized Pentamidine and Parenteral / Oral Trimethoprim - Sulfamethoxazole in the Treatment of Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia in AIDS

Conditions
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Pneumonia, Pneumocystis Carinii, HIV Infections

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Pentamidine isethionate


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria Concurrent Medication: Allowed: Zidovudine as long as such therapy is suspended prior to randomization and not reinstituted until therapy for the acute episode is completed. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in an adult who is HIV positive by ELISA, HIV culture, or p24 antigenemia, or is a member of a risk group for HIV infection (homosexual or bisexual men, intravenous drug abusers, recipients of HIV infected blood products, and the sexual partners of the foregoing groups). The patient must have a resting Alveolar - arterial oxygen (A-a) DO2 less than 30 mmHg on room air at all ACTG sites, except San Francisco General Hospital. Other sites will enter patients up to a resting (A-a) DO2 = or < 55 mmHg on room air. Prior Medication: Allowed: Zidovudine as long as such therapy is suspended prior to randomization and not reinstituted until therapy for the acute episode is completed. Exclusion Criteria Co-existing Condition: Patients with the following are excluded: Dyspnea. Cough. Bronchospasm. History of a major adverse reaction to pentamidine or sulfonamide containing preparations. Patients with the following will be excluded: Inability to cooperate with aerosol administration because of dyspnea, cough, bronchospasm, or other reasons. History of a major adverse reaction to pentamidine or sulfonamide containing preparations. In the opinion of the investigator, the patient would not complete therapy or follow-up for social reasons. Prior Medication: Excluded within 14 days of study entry: Systemic steroids above adrenal replacement doses. Excluded within 6 weeks of study entry: Other antiprotozoal regimen for this episode such as trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole (TMP / PurposeX). Pyrimethamine. Fansidar. Pentamidine. Eflornithine (DFMO). Dapsone, whether therapeutic or prophylactic, or any of these agents.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Drug: Pentamidine isethionate|nan|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Combination, AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections, Pneumonia, Pneumocystis carinii, Pentamidine, Injections, Intravenous, Administration, Oral, Aerosols, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome