Premium
Eflornithine for the Treatment of Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in Patients with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: A Preliminary Review
Author(s) -
Sahai Jan,
Berry Alison J.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1002/j.1875-9114.1989.tb04100.x
Subject(s) - eflornithine , pneumocystis carinii , medicine , rash , pneumonia , diarrhea , pyrimethamine , immunology , adverse effect , biology , ornithine decarboxylase , malaria , chloroquine , biochemistry , pneumocystis jirovecii , enzyme
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is the most common opportunistic infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Eflornithine is an antiprotozoal agent active against P. carinii . It acts by inhibiting ornithine decarboxylase, an enzyme that is essential for cellular function. The drug is initially administered intravenously, followed by oral therapy. Eflornithine has been used on a compassionate basis in AIDS patients with PCP who were intolerant of or unresponsive to traditional agents. Overall, the response rate has been about 35%; however, conclusions are difficult to make since patients had different stages of disease and received treatment for varying periods of time. Side effects include depression of bone marrow function, diarrhea, hearing loss, seizures, alterations in liver function tests, and rash. While the need for safer and more efficacious antipneumocystis drugs grows, widespread use of seemingly promising agents should be based on well‐conducted clinical trials.