Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Compared with Pentamidine for Treatment of <i>Pneumocystis carinii</i> Pneumonia in the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

For most patients with AIDS and P. carinii pneumonia, successful treatment with a single agent is possible. Toxicity associated with the two standard treatments is rarely life-threatening and may be diminished if the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole dosage is modified by pharmacokinetic monitoring and the pentamidine dosage is reduced for nephrotoxicity. Oxygenation improved more quickly and survival was better with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.