An Evaluation of Pentoxifylline in HIV-Positive Persons With Symptomatic HIV Infection and a Karnofsky Score > 40 Percent and < 100 Percent

PRIMARY: To determine whether pentoxifylline changes the self-reported measures of quality of life status, using measures of scores from double-blinded drug withdrawal and drug restart periods.

SECONDARY: To measure the changes in monthly CD4 counts, fasting serum triglyceride levels, and weight; to assess the safety of pentoxifylline in HIV-infected persons.

Inclusion Criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Allowed:

• Stable antiretroviral therapy.
• Maintenance medication for opportunistic infection.

Patients must have:

HIV positivity.

NOTE:

• Patients on an antiretroviral must have received it for at least 2 months and have no currently perceived need to change or add to the regimen for the next 3 months.

Prior Medication:

Allowed:

• Antiviral therapy (provided patient has been on such therapy for at least 2 months at study entry and dose is stable).

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following symptoms and conditions are excluded:

• Evidence of active opportunistic infection or malignancy requiring high-dose systemic chemotherapy (only patients who are 30 days from a diagnosis of an opportunistic infection and on appropriate maintenance medication are allowed).
• Known significant intolerance or hypersensitivity to theophylline, theobromine (chocolate), or caffeine, for reasons other than dyspepsia.
• Inability to swallow tablets (gastric feeding tubes are allowed).
• Active bleeding disorder or major bleeding source, including peptic ulcer or gastritis.
• Any symptoms suggestive of concurrent illness that are not attributable to overall impairment by HIV or are not diagnosable based on the available evidence.
• Not willing to comply with visit schedule and study procedures.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

• Concurrent use of the anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin) and heparin.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

• Treatment with biologic response modifiers (e.g., interferon, interleukin) within 14 days prior to study entry.

Prior Treatment:

Excluded:

• Major surgery within 30 days of study entry.