Rifabutin Available to Prevent MAC

Under a "Treatment IND" approved last month by the U. S.
Food and Drug Administration, Adria Laboratories will provide
rifabutin to certain patients for prevention of MAC
(mycobacterium avium complex, also called MAI), before the drug
is regularly approved for U. S. marketing. In a major controlled
trial with over 500 patients, rifabutin reduced the incidence of
MAC to about half that of the placebo group. A separate, similar
trial is now being analyzed.

This program is only for prevention, not treatment; patients
must have no history of MAC. They must also have a T-helper
count under 200, and meet certain other criteria.

Physicians who have patients who might benefit from this
program should call the PACT Rifabutin Treatment IND Study
Center, 800/552-7228, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time, for
more information.

Comment

Although not part of this program (and certainly not part of
the message from Adria) there is reason to believe that rifabutin
may be useful in treatment of MAC, as well as its prevention. It
may also be useful in treatment of tuberculosis, including some
multi-drug resistant strains. At this time these uses are not
proven, however.