saquinavir and Neutropenia

The protease inhibitor developed by Hoffmann-LaRoche, saquinavir, is currently in large-scale clinical trials at a dose of 1,800 mg per day. In an attempt to increase the bioavailable levels of the drug, another study is being conducted comparing doses of 3,600 and 7,200 mgs per day. Both doses significantly decreased viral load and increased CD4 counts, with the higher dose leading to greater and longer lasting responses. More adverse effects were seen in the high-dose arm, however, these resolved upon discontinuation of the drug.

Topics: CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Resistance, Microbial; HIV Infections; HIV Protease; HIV Protease Inhibitors; Humans; Isoquinolines; Liver Function Tests; Mutation; Neutropenia; Quinolines; Saquinavir