Science / Medicine : AZT Syrup Version Ready

The Burroughs Wellcome Co. announced plans Wednesday to market a strawberry-flavored syrup version of the AIDS-fighting drug AZT. AZT or zidovudine--the sole government-approved drug to directly fight the AIDS virus--is available only in capsule form.

“This new (syrup) formulation should provide more flexibility in making dosage adjustments and be particularly useful to patients who have difficulty swallowing capsules,” said Kathryn Pattishall of Burroughs Wellcome.

The AZT syrup, which the Food and Drug Administration recently judged to be as effective as the capsules, will be available at pharmacies in four to six weeks, Burroughs Wellcome said.

Jean McGuire, director of the AIDS Action Council, said the new formulation should prove helpful to AIDS patients who have problems swallowing because of mouth and throat infections or sores.