A Study of Dextran Sulfate in HIV-Infected Patients and in Patients With AIDS or AIDS Related Complex (ARC)

Inclusion Criteria Concurrent Medication: Allowed: Aerosolized pentamidine for prophylaxis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). Acetaminophen. Ketoconazole. Consistently positive serum HIV p24 antigen = or > 70 picograms/ml, defined by the Abbott HIV antigen test, on two occasions, each within 1 month prior to entry, separated by at least 72 hours, the last of which must be within 2 weeks of starting therapy. Positive antibody to HIV with a federally licensed ELISA test kit. Exclusion Criteria Patients with any negative HIV p24 antigen test within 1 month of entry are excluded. Hemophiliacs are excluded. Prior Medication: Excluded within 4 weeks of study entry: Biologic response modifiers. Zidovudine (AZT) or other antiretroviral agents. Other investigational drugs. Excluded within 12 weeks of study entry: Ribavirin. Excluded: Ongoing therapy and/or prophylaxis for an AIDS-defining opportunistic infection. Anticoagulant drugs. Systemic corticosteroids. Aspirin. Dextran sulfate. Sedatives. Barbiturates. Prior Treatment: Excluded within 2 weeks of study entry: Transfusion. Severe diarrhea: = or > 5 loose or watery stools per day. Significant malabsorption: > 10 percent weight loss within past 3 months with serum carotene < 75 IU/ml or vitamin A < 75 IU/ml. Transfusion dependent: Requiring 2 units of blood > once a month. Active opportunistic infection. Symptomatic visceral Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), progression of KS within 1 month of entry, or concurrent neoplasms other than KS. Basal cell carcinoma of the skin or in situ carcinoma of the cervix. Hemorrhagic diseases such as hemophilia A or B or von Willebrand disease. Active drug or alcohol abuse sufficient in the investigator's opinion to prevent adequate compliance with study therapy.