To evaluate the safety and tolerance of concurrent administration of standard-dose didanosine (ddI) with low-dose ribavirin in HIV-positive patients. To determine the pharmacokinetic interactions of concurrent administration of ddI and ribavirin and correlate pharmacokinetic parameters with toxicity. To investigate antiviral activity of the combined regimen.

Combination ddI/ribavirin therapy, if safe and effective, offers an alternative combination antiretroviral regimen for patients unable to tolerate regimens containing zidovudine (AZT).

Combination ddI/ribavirin therapy, if safe and effective, offers an alternative combination antiretroviral regimen for patients unable to tolerate regimens containing zidovudine (AZT).

Patients receive ddI alone for 4 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of combination ddI/ribavirin. Patients who complete the first 12 weeks without major toxicity may receive an additional 12 weeks of combination therapy on an optional basis. Patients are followed for 60 days after the last treatment visit.

Inclusion Criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Allowed:

• Stable maintenance or prophylaxis therapy for opportunistic infection, if such therapy was administered for at least 30 days prior to study entry.
• Isoniazid for chemoprophylaxis against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Fluconazole for mucosal candidiasis or cryptococcosis.
• Acyclovir (up to 1.0 g/day).
• Dapsone.
• Ketoconazole.
• Quinolones.
• Tetracycline.
• Vitamins and herbal therapies.
• Antibiotics as clinically indicated.
• Systemic corticosteroids for < 21 days for acute problems.
• Regularly prescribed medications.

Patients must have:

• HIV positivity by ELISA confirmed by Western blot.
• CD4 count < 500 cells/mm3 within 30 days prior to study entry.
• No active opportunistic infections requiring treatment (patients on stable maintenance and prophylaxis therapy for opportunistic infections for at least 30 days are permitted).

NOTE:

• Enrollment of women is encouraged.

Prior Medication:

Allowed:

• Prior stable maintenance or prophylaxis therapy for opportunistic infection, if administered for at least 30 days prior to study entry.

Exclusion Criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

• Concurrent rifampin or rifabutin.
• Other anti-HIV drugs and investigational agents.
• Biological response modifiers.
• Ganciclovir or foscarnet.
• Systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Concurrent Treatment:

Excluded:

• Concurrent radiation therapy other than limited localized therapy to the skin.

Patients with the following prior conditions are excluded:

• History of peripheral neuropathy.
• History of pancreatitis or active liver disease.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

• Prior ddI.
• Ribavirin within 60 days prior to study entry.
• AZT or ddC within 2 weeks prior to study entry.

Prior Treatment:

Excluded:

• Transfusion within 2 weeks prior to study entry.

Active alcohol abuse.