NAC: "NO MIRACLES"

In our issues of December 1 and October 6, AIDS TREATMENT NEWS reported on indications that NAC (N-acetylcysteine), a drug widely used in Europe to treat bronchitis, might be useful in treating AIDS or HIV infection.

Since publishing those articles we have talked with Barbara Starrett, M. D., who sees many AIDS patients in New York. About ten of her patients have used the European form of the drug, some starting as early as December 1988.

Dr. Starrett is confident that the drug has not hurt anybody, and thinks that it may work as a stabilizer or mild immune modulator. Her patients have remained stable. But she has seen no great improvements, and has no definitive proof that the drug helped. Most of her patients had chosen to stop taking the drug, because it did not seem worth the expense. (Prices vary greatly, and her patients had been using one of the most expensive brands, from Switzerland.)

Dr. Starrett is concerned that people may have expectations which are too high. But she says there is no question that the drug should be available.

NAC Survey

In New York, the PWA Health Group, in association with ACT UP's Treatment and Data Committee, will conduct a survey of people using NAC, to ask about short-term subjective benefits and risks. They hope "to gain some practical information about trials yield results."

Registration forms and baseline questionnaires will be available at the PWA Health Group; followup surveys will be mailed for at least three months. Buyers clubs in other cities might also join this study.