The Anti-HIV Effects of Saquinavir Soft Gelatin Capsules Versus Indinavir in Patients Who Have Used Saquinavir Hard Gelatin Capsules for One Year

To determine, in HIV-infected patients, whether switching to a new soft gelatin capsule formulation of saquinavir or to indinavir following prolonged use of the original hard capsule formulation of saquinavir results in an acute decrease in plasma HIV RNA. Resistance to anti-HIV agents occurs with increasing duration of use. In vitro studies have shown that cross-resistance occurs among protease inhibitors, although no clinical trials have been conducted to examine antiretroviral activity with sequential use of protease inhibitors or to determine whether saquinavir resistance can be overcome with higher concentrations of the drug.