Therapeutic progress. IV: Treatment and prophylaxis of Pneumocystis carinii infection.

Co-trimoxazole presently remains the first choice for prophylaxis and treatment of Pneumocystis carinii infections. The high incidence of adverse reactions experienced by patients taking co-trimoxazole has led to a number of trials comparing it with other antipneumocystis agents. Adjuvant therapy with corticosteroids may benefit patients with severe P. carinii pneumonia. This paper reviews the standard treatments for P. carinii pneumonia, some of the newer agents such as atovaquone, recently licensed in the U.K., and a variety of novel agents being assessed for treatment and prophylaxis. Current recommendations may change over the new few years.