Background:

Trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is the drug of choice for the prophylaxis of AIDS-associated comorbidities.

Objective:

To compare the efficacy and safety of two schemes of desensitization to TMP-SMX in HIV-positive patients.

Methods:

A study was conducted from March 2018 to October 2019; it included HIV-positive patients who presented an adverse skin reaction to TMP-SMX; fifteen of them received desensitization scheme 1, which lasted ten days, and five patients received scheme 2, which lasted six hours.

Results:

The average age of the patients who received scheme 1 was of 27.4 ± 5.7 years, while the average age of patients who received scheme 2 was of 33.6 ± 8 years. At baseline, the demographic, clinical, and immunological variables did not show significant differences between both groups (p> 0.05). In both groups, an efficacy of 100% was obtained and, in terms of safety, only three patients in group 1 presented rash and pruritus, however, the procedure was not suspended; the previous tolerated dose was resumed and, subsequently, the desensitization procedure continued.

Conclusions:

Both schemes of desensitization to TMP-SMX showed efficacy and safety in HIV-positive patients, who frequently present adverse reactions to these medications.