To assess the safety and effectiveness of SCH 39304 as primary treatment of acute cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-infected patients. Safety and effectiveness of maintenance therapy following successful treatment of acute disease are also evaluated.

Cryptococcal meningitis is a significant cause of illness and death in HIV-infected patients. Intravenous amphotericin B is effective for acute disease but relapse occurs in the majority of patients. Maintenance therapy is recommended but must be balanced against the multiple toxicities of the drugs used and the problems associated with the weekly administration of intravenous therapy. Treatments that are equally or more effective and less toxic than traditional methods are needed, especially oral therapy. SCH 39304 is an orally active antifungal drug that in animal studies is active against a wide range of systemic fungal infections including infections due to Cryptococcus. Features of SCH 39304 suggest that it might be of value in the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis.

Cryptococcal meningitis is a significant cause of illness and death in HIV-infected patients. Intravenous amphotericin B is effective for acute disease but relapse occurs in the majority of patients. Maintenance therapy is recommended but must be balanced against the multiple toxicities of the drugs used and the problems associated with the weekly administration of intravenous therapy. Treatments that are equally or more effective and less toxic than traditional methods are needed, especially oral therapy. SCH 39304 is an orally active antifungal drug that in animal studies is active against a wide range of systemic fungal infections including infections due to Cryptococcus. Features of SCH 39304 suggest that it might be of value in the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis.

HIV-infected patients with a diagnosis of acute cryptococcal meningitis, previously untreated or relapsed following a successfully treated acute episode, are enrolled in the study. SCH 39304 is administered orally once daily for 3 days followed by a lower dose once daily for 12 weeks. Patients who respond to primary therapy are randomized to receive SCH 39304 maintenance therapy at a higher dose once weekly or at the lower dose once daily for up to 12 months under this protocol.

Inclusion Criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Allowed:

• Currently approved antiviral therapy.
• Maintenance therapy for cytomegalovirus retinitis or toxoplasmosis.
• Rifampin.
• Isoniazid.
• Dilantin or barbiturates if investigator agrees to rigorously monitor anticonvulsant drug levels.
• Coumarin-type anticoagulants if investigator agrees to rigorously monitor prothrombin time.
• Prophylactic treatment for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP).

Concurrent Treatment:

Allowed:

• Local radiotherapy for mucocutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma.

Prior Medication:

Allowed:

• Amphotericin B, up to 1 mg/kg, during the previous 7 days.

Patients must be HIV positive by 2 methodologies and have either primary cryptococcal meningitis with no prior anti-cryptococcal therapy or relapsed disease after prior therapy.

• Prior therapy for cryptococcal meningitis is limited to approved drugs.
• Written informed consent either from patient or patient's parent or legal guardian is required.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following conditions or symptoms are excluded:

• History of hypersensitivity to imidazole or azole compounds.
• Central nervous system disease.
• Acute opportunistic infection.
• Underlying conditions that in the opinion of the investigator could preclude assessment of response.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

• Systemic antifungal drugs other than study drug.
• Any investigational drug other than treatment IND drugs.
• Oral hypoglycemic agents.
• Oral contraceptives.
• Cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Patients with the following are excluded:

• Unable to take oral medications.
• Concurrent central nervous system disease which in opinion of investigator would interfere with assessment of response.
• Concurrent acute opportunistic infection requiring therapy (patients who develop an acute opportunistic infection after initiation of study medication may remain on study medication).

Prior Medication:

Excluded within 7 days of study entry:

• Amphotericin B, > 1 mg/kg.