The Effectiveness of Ritonavir Plus Zidovudine Plus Lamivudine in HIV-Infected Patients

Although plasma viral load drops dramatically after initiation of powerful antiretrovirals, it does not drop to zero. It appears that a new steady state is reached, suggesting that a reservoir may exist of virus-producing cells, possibly cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage, that continue to produce a low level of virus despite antiretroviral treatment.

Patients undergo 5 weeks of antiretroviral washout before initiating therapy with ritonavir alone for 9 days, followed by combination therapy with ritonavir, zidovudine, and lamivudine from day 10 through week 48. [AS PER AMENDMENT 1/31/97: The availability of the current, open-label study treatment has been extended to allow patients who have completed 48 weeks of therapy to continue protocol therapy until the last enrolled patient completes 48 weeks of study treatment.]

Inclusion criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Allowed:

• Recombinant erythropoietin and/or G-CSF for AZT-related bone marrow suppression.
• Antibiotics other than metronidazole.
• PCP prophylaxis.
• Regularly prescribed medications such as antipyretics, analgesics, allergy medicine, and oral contraceptives.
• Vitamins and herbal therapies.

Concurrent Treatment:

Allowed:

• Acupuncture.
• Visualization techniques.

Patients must have:

• Documented HIV infection.
• CD4 count 100-300 cells/mm3.
• At least 3 consecutive months of prior AZT at a dosage of 500-600 mg bid, but with 5 weeks of antiretroviral washout prior to study entry.
• Consent of parent or guardian if less than 18 years old.

Prior Medication:

Required:

• Prior AZT at 500-600 mg bid at any time.
• PCP prophylaxis during antiretroviral washout.

Allowed:

• Prior ddI and/or ddC.
• Prior recombinant erythropoietin and/or G-CSF for AZT-related bone marrow suppression.

Exclusion criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded:

• Chronic pancreatitis.
• Psychological conditions that would affect compliance.
• Intolerance to 500-600 mg/day AZT.
• Concurrent participation on another antiretroviral research treatment study (study treatment for opportunistic infection or complications of HIV is allowed).
• Considered likely to be noncompliant on study.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

• Immunomodulators such as systemic corticosteroids, thalidomide, or cytokines.
• Rifabutin.
• Disulfiram (Antabuse) or other medications with similar effects, including metronidazole.
• Other drugs contraindicated with ritonavir.

[AS PER AMENDMENT 8/27/96: Immunization must be avoided during the antiretroviral washout period.]

Patients with the following prior conditions are excluded:

• Active opportunistic infection or febrile illness with temperature >= 38.5 C within 3 days prior to study entry.
• History of acute pancreatitis within the past 2 years.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

• Prior 3TC or a protease inhibitor.
• Experimental drugs except those for HIV-related conditions, within the past 30 days.

[AS PER AMENDMENT 8/27/96: Immunization must be avoided prior to the antiretroviral washout period.]

Active substance abuse.