The Safety and Effectiveness of Rifabutin, Combined With Clarithromycin or Azithromycin, in HIV-Infected Patients

Two new macrolide antibiotics, clarithromycin and azithromycin, and rifabutin (a rifamycin derivative) have all demonstrated in vitro and in vivo activity against Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, a common systemic bacterial infection complicating AIDS. Further information is needed, however, regarding the clinical and pharmacokinetic interaction of these drugs used in combination.

AMENDED 03/10/94 (Part B): Approximately 38 HIV-infected or uninfected subjects are randomized to receive azithromycin or rifabutin (Groups 3 and 4) daily for 14 days, followed by a combination regimen of both drugs for 4 additional weeks. Patients are followed weekly. Pharmacokinetic sampling will be performed on days 14, 15, and 42-45.

ORIGINAL: Sixty-eight patients are randomly assigned to one of four groups (17 patients per group). They receive either clarithromycin or azithromycin in combination with rifabutin on one of two different dosing schedules. Patients receive medication for 6 weeks and undergo follow-up weekly during drug administration and at week 8.

Inclusion criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Allowed:

• Primary or secondary PCP prophylaxis with TMP/SMX, dapsone, or aerosolized pentamidine.
• Any approved therapy for antiretroviral treatment, or antiretroviral therapy available through FDA-sanctioned treatment IND or treatment protocol.

Patients must have:

AMENDED (PART B):

• Either HIV infection OR no HIV infection.
• CD4 count unspecified.

ORIGINAL:

• Documented HIV infection.
• CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 within 90 days prior to study entry.

Exclusion criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following symptoms and conditions are excluded:

• Known Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) bacteremia or presence of a clinical syndrome compatible with MAI (i.e., fevers, weight loss, elevated LDH and alkaline phosphatase).
• Fever = or > 38.5 deg C (100.4 deg F) within 7 days prior to study entry.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

• Acute or chronic use of phenobarbital, carbamazepine, rifampin, dilantin, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, ciprofloxacin, beta-blockers, or clarithromycin.
• Oral contraceptives.
• Acute therapy for an AIDS-related opportunistic infection or malignancy, or other acute medical illness, or infection.
• Maintenance therapy for CMV, cryptococcal meningitis, or toxoplasmosis.
• Cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Patients with the following prior conditions are excluded:

• History of intolerance or hypersensitivity to study drugs, other macrolide antibiotics, or rifampin.
• Three or more loose bowel movements per day within 3 months prior to study entry.
• Unintentional weight loss >= 5 percent of body weight within 3 months prior to study entry.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

• Rifabutin within 30 days prior to study entry.
• Clarithromycin or azithromycin within 14 days prior to study entry.
• Acute therapy for an AIDS-related opportunistic infection or malignancy, or other acute medical illness, or infection within 28 days prior to study entry.

Prior Treatment:

Excluded:

• Blood transfusions within 1 month prior to study entry.