Primary objective: To study the pharmacokinetic interaction between zidovudine (AZT) and valproic acid in asymptomatic HIV-infected patients, characterizing AZT's oral bioavailability, plasma elimination half-time, plasma levels, and urinary excretion of AZT, 5'-O-glucuronide (GAZT), and 3'-amino-3'-deoxythymidine (AMT). Secondary objective: To establish the safety of short-term administration of AZT and valproic acid in combination with regard to hematologic parameters and liver function in asymptomatic HIV-infected patients. Preliminary studies using human liver tissue have shown that valproic acid inhibits the metabolic inactivation of zidovudine (AZT), which may prolong the plasma half-life of AZT and thus prolong the duration of the drug's effects in the body.
Preliminary studies using human liver tissue have shown that valproic acid inhibits the metabolic inactivation of zidovudine (AZT), which may prolong the plasma half-life of AZT and thus prolong the duration of the drug's effects in the body. Six asymptomatic HIV-infected patients are treated with AZT orally every 8 hours on days 1 through 4, then with a single dose on day 5 (after 8 hours of fasting), followed by pharmacokinetic sampling. On days 6 through 9, patients receive AZT orally every 8 hours in combination with valproic acid (lowest dose in the first 5 patients and a higher dose in patients 6 and 7) orally every 8 hours. On day 10, AZT and 1 of the 2 doses of valproic acid are given orally as single doses, followed by pharmacokinetic sampling. AZT is continued alone orally every 8 hours on days 11 through 14, then resumed at the patient's usual dose beginning on day 15. Per 03/09/92 amendment, dosing schedule may be modified slightly to accommodate patients with scheduling conflicts.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
6
Tulane Univ Med School
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
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