Abstracts » Health

Clinical experience with atovaquone on a treatment investigational drug protocol for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

Article Abstract:

Orally administered atovaquone may be effective in treating HIV-infected patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). Researchers evaluated atovaquone as a Treatment Investigational New Drug (IND) in HIV patients with mild to moderate PCP, and as an Open-Label Study drug for HIV patients with severe PCP. The 760 patients with mild to moderate PCP received atovaquone because they could not be treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. A total of 591 (78%) of the 760 patients with mild to moderate disease responded to treatment with atovaquone. Seventy-nine (56%) of 140 patients with severe PCP responded to treatment. The Treatment IND and Open-Label Study allowed atovaquone to be used for HIV patients before the drug was officially approved for use.

Evaluation, Product/Service Evaluation, Mepron (Medication)

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The role of atovaquone tablets in treating Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

Article Abstract:

The drug atovaquone may be effective in treating mildly to moderately severe cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in AIDS patients. Atovaquone may have fewer adverse side effects than other drugs used to treat PCP such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and pentamidine. About half of all AIDS patients with PCP develop serious side effects to these drugs. Atovaquone is available in the form of tablets that can be taken by mouth. The recommended dosage for treatment of PCP in AIDS patients is 750 milligrams three times a day for 21 days. It is more effective when taken with meals with more than 23 grams of fat. The effectiveness of atovaquone against severe PCP should be studied. It may be effective in preventing PCP in AIDS patients.

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Antenatal steroids and neonatal outcomes in controlled clinical trials of surfactant replacement

Article Abstract:

Steroids administered to mothers prior to delivery of premature infants appear to improve outcomes and may enhance surfactant replacement therapy. Researchers statistically analyzed the medical records of A total of 3,270 infants enrolled in clinical trials of surfactant replacement therapy between 1986 and 1991 were studied. Both prophylaxis and rescue surfactant trials were analyzed. About 20% of mothers of these premature infants received antenatal steroids. A full course of steroids decreased the risk of serious neonatal outcomes, including mortality, pulmonary air leak, intraventricular hemorrhage and respiratory distress syndrome. Steroids did not increase major outcome risks, including sepsis.

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Premature birth, Steroids (Drugs), Lung surfactant, Synthetic, Synthetic lung surfactants

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