What is azidothymidine?

Azidothymidine (AZT), also known as zidovudine, is an antiviral medication used to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. It is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and works by interfering with the replication of the HIV virus.

AZT was the first medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat HIV/AIDS. It was initially approved in 1987 under the brand name Retrovir. Since then, several other NRTIs have been developed, but AZT remains an important part of HIV treatment regimens.

AZT is typically used in combination with other antiviral medications to reduce the risk of developing drug resistance. It is typically taken orally, once or twice daily. The most common side effects of AZT include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and rash.

AZT is an important medication for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. It can help to improve the quality of life for people with HIV/AIDS and can also reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.