A Pharmacologically Guided Phase I/II Study of Daily Orally Administered Synthetic Hypericin in HIV-Infected Subjects

Inclusion Criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Required:

• PCP prophylaxis.

Allowed:

• Rifabutin, ketoconazole, fluconazole, and acyclovir, provided the medication has been taken for at least 4 weeks prior to study entry without toxicity.
• Topical medications such as clotrimazole troches or nystatin suspension.

Patients must have:

• Documented HIV infection.
• CD4 count <= 350 cells/mm3.
• p24 antigen positive at >= 35 pcg/ml.
• No active opportunistic infection at study entry that would require curative or suppressive therapy.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded:

• Malignancy for which systemic chemotherapy is required.
• Medically significant liver disease, orthostatic hypotension, hypertension, cardiac disease, seizure disorders, or lymphoma.
• Any medical condition that would interfere with evaluation of the patient.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

• AZT, ddI, ddC, d4T, or any other antiretroviral medication.
• Interferon or other immunomodulating drugs.
• Cytotoxic chemotherapy.
• Foscarnet.
• Ganciclovir.
• Antimycobacterial drugs other than rifabutin.
• MAO inhibitors.
• Hypertension-inducing, nephrotoxic, or hepatotoxic drugs.
• Opiates.
• Drugs known to cause photosensitivity.

Prior Medication:

Excluded within 1 month prior to study entry:

• AZT, ddI, ddC, d4T, or any other antiretroviral medication.
• Interferon or other immunomodulating drugs.
• Cytotoxic chemotherapy.
• Preparations known to contain hypericin.

Excluded within 3 months prior to study entry:

• Ribavirin.
• Hyperforate (500 mg tablets or ampules for IV injection) manufactured by Kline.
• Psychotonin M Alcohol Extract manufactured by Steigerwald.
• Hypericin (40 mg vial) by VIMRx.

Excluded within 14 days prior to study entry:

• Foscarnet.
• Ganciclovir.
• Antimycobacterial drugs other than rifabutin.
• MAO inhibitors.
• Hypertension-inducing, nephrotoxic, or hepatotoxic drugs.

History of severe allergic reactions to study medication Currently pregnant or breastfeeding Recent participation in another clinical trial within the last 30 days Presence of uncontrolled medical conditions that could affect safety