A Study of Azidothymidine Plus Methadone in Patients With AIDS and AIDS Related Complex (ARC)

Summary

To determine if methadone treatment will affect the blood levels of zidovudine (AZT) in patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC) who are receiving oral AZT and methadone therapy. In addition, the blood levels of methadone both before and during AZT treatment will be studied, and patients receiving daily oral methadone treatment will be evaluated for signs of narcotic withdrawal during treatment with AZT. The number of deaths due to AIDS in high-risk populations continues to increase. Nationwide approximately 25 percent of AIDS patients are intravenous (IV) drug abusers, and it is very likely that an increasingly larger number of AIDS patients receiving AZT therapy will have had a history of IV drug abuse. The major chemical treatment for IV drug abuse is daily methadone maintenance therapy, and IV drug abusers who are HIV positive represent a large number of patients who will undergo long-term treatment with both methadone and AZT. Therefore, the study of potential drug interactions is essential.

Timeline

Start

—

Primary completion

1991-03

Completion

—

Publications

• Background Schwartz EL, Brechbuhl AB, Kahl P, Miller MH, Selwyn PA, Friedland GH. Altered pharmacokinetics of zidovudine in former IV drug-using patients receiving methadone. Int Conf AIDS. 1990 Jun 20-23;6(3):194 (abstract no SB432)
• Background Schwartz EL, Brechbuhl AB, Kahl P, Miller MA, Selwyn PA, Friedland GH. Pharmacokinetic interactions of zidovudine and methadone in intravenous drug-using patients with HIV infection. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr (1988). 1992;5(6):619-26.

Drugs

Indications