A Comparison of Three Treatments for Advanced HIV Disease in Patients Who Have Received Nucleoside Therapy in the Past

Inclusion Criteria Concurrent Medication: Required: PCP prophylaxis. Allowed: Erythropoietin. Prophylaxis for MAI or fungal infections. Antibiotics. Over-the-counter, alternative, or regularly prescribed drugs. Steroids, if for < 21 days. Concurrent Treatment: Allowed: Radiation therapy for cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma. Patients must have: HIV infection. CD4 count <= 50 cells/mm3. Prior nucleoside monotherapy for at least 6 months. Life expectancy of at least 6 months. Prior Medication: Required: Nucleoside monotherapy for at least 6 months. Active alcohol or drug abuse. Exclusion Criteria Co-existing Condition: Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded: Severe peripheral neuropathy. Psychological or emotional problems sufficient to prevent study compliance. Concurrent Medication: Excluded: Systemic chemotherapy for malignancy. Acute or induction therapy for opportunistic infection. Patients with the following prior conditions are excluded: History of acute or chronic pancreatitis. Grade 3 or greater toxicity to AZT, ddI, or ddC on two or more occasions. Prior Medication: Excluded: Non-study nucleosides or biologic response modifiers within 7 days prior to study entry. Acute therapy for opportunistic process within 14 days prior to study entry. Acute systemic therapy for other medical conditions within 14 days prior to study entry.