Results of recently completed clinical trials have led to some changes in recommendation for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other infections associated with AIDS.

Results of recently completed clinical trials have led to some changes in recommendations for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other infections associted with AIDS.

Since the last review of this topic (Medical Letter, 32:73, August 10, 1990) some new antiviral agents have been approved and the indications for several others expanded. The drugs of choice for viral infections are listed in the table on page 36.

Phosphonoformic acid or foscarnet (Foscavir - Astra), a synthetic antiviral drug, has now been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for intravenous (IV) treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in patients with AIDS. CMV retinitis occurs in up to 30% of patients with AIDS and often causes blindness (MD de Smet and RB Nussenbatt, JAMA, 266:3019, Dec 4, 1991).

A growing number of clinical trials now permits some consensus on the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other infections associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in adults.