To evaluate the safety, tolerance, and pharmacokinetics of Retrovir (AZT) administration in HIV-infected patients in renal failure receiving maintenance hemodialysis.

Ages Eligible for Study:  18 Years and above,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Patients must have:

• A positive HIV antibody test (ELISA confirmed by Western blot).
• Chronic renal failure managed by a stable hemodialysis regimen.
• Acceptable hepatic function defined by specified lab values.
• Life expectancy > 6 months.
• Enrollment is limited to 9 chronic hemodialysis patients and 9 Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) patients. These patients must be stable in their ESRD treatment regimen before entry.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition: Patients with the following are excluded:

• Active, serious opportunistic infections at the time of study entry.
• Fever > 100 degrees F at study entry.
• Severe malabsorption (evidenced by persistent diarrhea of greater than 4 weeks duration with = or > 6 loose stools per day accompanied by significant weight loss).

Patients with the following are excluded:

• Active, serious opportunistic infections at the time of study entry.
• Fever > 100 degrees F at study entry.
• Severe malabsorption (evidenced by persistent diarrhea of greater than 4 weeks duration with = or > 6 loose stools per day accompanied by significant weight loss).

Prior Medication: Excluded within 2 weeks of study entry:

Any other experimental therapy. Drugs which cause significant bone marrow suppression. Rifampin or rifampin derivatives. Cytolytic chemotherapy. Drugs which cause significant hepatotoxicity. Excluded within 4 weeks of study entry:

Immunomodulating agents, including steroids, interferon, Isoprinosine, and interleukin 2. Excluded within 8 weeks of study entry:

Other antiretroviral agents (e.g., zidovudine [AZT], suramin, ribavirin, HPA-23, foscarnet, dextran sulfate, disulfiram, ddA/ddC, or dideoxycytidine). Active drug or alcohol abuse.