Complications of co-trimoxazole in treatment of AIDS-associated Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in homosexual men.

In 8 of 18 homosexual men with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) treated with intravenous co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole) apparent drug-related complications developed during the course of acute therapy. A symptom complex of fevers and increasing malaise, often with nausea and headaches, developed usually after 9 days of therapy at a daily dosage of 20 mg/kg of trimethoprim and 100 mg/kg of sulphamethoxazole. These symptoms were associated with a diffuse erythematous maculopapular eruption and peripheral cytopenias. A similar picture was noted in two children with suspected AIDS-associated PCP. The high frequency of adverse reactions to co-trimoxazole therapy for PCP seems to be characteristic of AIDS patients.