Medicines
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Brand: Retrovir, AZT
Zidovudine, also known as azidothymidine (AZT), is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) antiviral medication used to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS. It belongs to a class of drugs that work by interfering with the HIV virus's ability to replicate its genetic material. Zidovudine was one of the first drugs approved to treat HIV and remains a crucial component of many combination antiretroviral therapies.
Used to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS, often in combination with other antiretroviral medications.
Bone marrow suppression, including anemia and neutropenia, can occur with zidovudine. Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogues alone or in combination, including zidovudine. Myopathy has been reported with prolonged use of zidovudine.
Outcome:
Increased risk of mitochondrial toxicity
Mechanism:
Additive mitochondrial toxicity
Outcome:
Increased risk of neutropenia
Mechanism:
Possible additive bone marrow suppression
Outcome:
May slightly decrease zidovudine absorption
Mechanism:
Altered gastrointestinal pH
Most likely new formulation: Long-acting injectable zidovudine (2025, 80% confidence)
Based on current usage trends and emerging resistance patterns, there is a 70% likelihood of new guidelines recommending increased monitoring for zidovudine-related adverse events within the next 3 years.
Antiretroviral, Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NRTI)
Nucleoside Analogue