Study of Protease Inhibitor and/or Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor With Dual Nucleosides in Initial Therapy of HIV Infection

Highly active antiretroviral therapy, though effective in the suppression of HIV proliferation, is often complicated by difficulties with adherence and drug toxicity. Various combinations of highly active antiretroviral therapy exist; all have proved efficacious in related trials. The question addressed in this trial is which combination of antiretroviral "cocktails" provides the single greatest advantage in preventing the spread of HIV in the body. In effect, which therapy provides the greatest benefit with the fewest complications.

Step 1: Patients are randomized to 1 of 6 arms:

Arm A: didanosine (ddI), stavudine (d4T), efavirenz (EFV), and nelfinavir (NFV) placebo.

Arm B: ddI, d4T, EFV placebo, and NFV. Arm C: lamivudine (3TC)/zidovudine (ZDV), EFV, and NFV placebo. Arm D: 3TC/ZDV, EFV placebo, and NFV. Arm E: ddI, d4T, EFV, and NFV. Arm F: 3TC/ZDV, EFV, and NFV. Patients with virologic failure on 2 successive measurements or study-drug intolerance discontinue their randomized study therapy and proceed to Step 2. [AS PER AMENDMENT 7/5/00: Patients must switch regimens as soon as possible after confirmation of virologic failure to prevent development of drug resistance.]

Step 2: