[The efficacy and safety of two schemes of desensitization to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in HIV-positive patients].

BACKGROUND

Trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is the drug of choice for the prophylaxis of AIDS-associated comorbidities.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and safety of two schemes of desensitization to TMP-SMX in HIV-positive patients.

METHODS

A study was conducted from March 2018 to October 2019; it included HIV-positive patients who presented an adverse skin reaction to TMP-SMX; fifteen of them received desensitization scheme 1, which lasted ten days, and five patients received scheme 2, which lasted six hours.

RESULTS

The average age of the patients who received scheme 1 was of 27.4 ± 5.7 years, while the average age of patients who received scheme 2 was of 33.6 ± 8 years. At baseline, the demographic, clinical, and immunological variables did not show significant differences between both groups (p> 0.05). In both groups, an efficacy of 100% was obtained and, in terms of safety, only three patients in group 1 presented rash and pruritus, however, the procedure was not suspended; the previous tolerated dose was resumed and, subsequently, the desensitization procedure continued.

CONCLUSIONS

Both schemes of desensitization to TMP-SMX showed efficacy and safety in HIV-positive patients, who frequently present adverse reactions to these medications.