- Group 3 receives the combination of AZT and IFN-A2a for 24 weeks. Medications are administered according to one of four possible daily dosing schedules of AZT plus IFN-A2a (increasing doses of each). AZT is taken by mouth as a capsule every 6 hours. IFN-A2a is given by an injection under the skin once a day. Initially, doses of IFN-A2a are given by one of the research staff, after which patients are taught to give their own injections. Patients are examined weekly for the first 4 weeks, then every other week until the end of the study. Patients assigned to groups receiving two drugs will be examined weekly again for 4 weeks when the second drug is added.