AIDS Treatment Update

L-acetyl carnitine for
peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition caused by
nerve damage,which can occur during the
course of HIV disease. Some anti-H IV
medications, particularly nucleoside analogue
drugs such as ddl, ddC and d4T can also cause
peripheral neuropathy.
Recent studies have shown that a drug called
LAC (L-Acetyl-Carnitine) can be effective in
reducing pain and other symptoms associated
with peripheral neuropathy, with few sideeffects. Two studies investigating its use, one
giving the drug intramuscularly, and the other
orally, are recruiting participants with painful
peripheral neuropathy, who have been on
stable anti-H IV therapy for at least one
month. Participating sites are in Manchester
and London. Details on aidsmap.com.
Nandrolone &
testosterone
This study is designed to study the effects of
testosterone and the anabolic steroid
nandrolone decanoate on lean body mass, body
composition and body weight in men taking
anti-H IV therapy. This five arm study involves
a twelve week initial phase, followed by a two
year maintenance phase. Treatment is blinded,
but all arms will receive active injections of
either steroid, or both, at some stage, and any
participant who loses 5% or more of their

body weight during the maintenance phase will
be offered intervention treatment. This trial is
recruiting at the Kobler Clinic, London.
NAM information
forums 2001
There is no NAM Information Forum this
month owing to the holiday period. However,
dates for the first three meetings next year
have now been set. On Monday, January 29",
the forum will lool at the issues raised in this
special issue of AIDS Treatment Update on the
subject of Which Ant/-HIV Drugs First?
The forum on Monday, February 26" will
provide feedback from the 81" Conference on
Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. This
key scientific meeting, to be held in Chicago in
early February, will be one of next year's most
important HIV medical conferences. The NAM
team will also be providing a live daily news
service from this meeting for NAM's website
aidsmap.com. Visit aidsmap.com from
February 4'1 to 8t" to stay in touch with the
latest news from the conference.
The March forum will be held on March 26"'.
The venue for these meetings is the University
of London Union, Malet Street, London WC1,
and they run from 7-9pm. Each month, we
invite a leading HIV doctor to discuss a
treatment-related topic, and answer questions
from the audience. Entrance is free, a sign
language interpreter is available, and everyone
is welcome.

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