LOS ANGELES TIMES, Spring 28, 1997:
Although many AIDS patients are feeling
better and living longer, the combinations have proved less effective for
those who had taken the older drugs, such as AZT, as a single--drug therapy.
... "We created this population {patients with resistant virus} in the
past
because we didn't have the tools not to, and didn't know any better," said
AIDS specialist Robert T. Schooley, head of infectious diseases at the
University of Colorado. ... "Patients think they're the failures, and they
are not -- we're the failures." Dr. Schooley said. "But we will see a
different situation when more drugs become available."
Prescribing AZT alone, is now tantamount to malpractice. If you are taking
only AZT and no other anti-retrovirals, it could shorten your life Other,
more effective anti-HIV drugs may not work for you in the future! AZT and
others are still considered effective and safe only when used in
combination. Talk to your doctor.