Atovaquone Suspension Compared with Aerosolized Pentamidine for Prevention of Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in Human Immunodeficiency Virus—Infected Subjects Intolerant of Trimethoprim or Sulfonamides

Atovaquone suspensions (750 mg and 1500 mg once a day) were compared with aerosolized pentamidine (300 mg once a month) for the prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in subjects with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who were intolerant to trimethoprim or sulfonamides (or both). Median time using the assigned therapy was 6.6 months, and the median follow-up was 11.3 months. Intent-to-treat analyses (n=549) showed no statistically significant differences among subjects with regard to the incidence of PCP (26%, 22%, and 17%, respectively) or mortality (20%, 13%, and 18%, respectively). The incidence of treatment-limiting adverse events with atovaquone was significantly higher (P<.01). There was, however, no significant difference in the time using therapy. Incidences of PCP and death were higher in subjects receiving 750 mg of atovaquone than in subjects receiving 1500 mg. Atovaquone suspension at 1500 mg once a day has an efficacy similar to that of aerosolized pentamidine for prevention of PCP in HIV-infected subjects and is a safe, effective alternative in those who are intolerant to trimethoprim or sulfonamides.