Abstract
ZIDOVUDINE (3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine; formerly azidothymidine, or AZT) is a thymidine analogue that inhibits the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) in vitro.
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The administration of zidovudine to patients with advanced HIV disease over a 6-to-24-month period prolongs survival, decreases the frequency and severity of opportunistic infections, improves neurologic function, transiently improves CD4 T-lymphocyte counts, and decreases the rate of HIV antigenemia.
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Despite these benefits, zidovudine therapy is frequently associated with adverse reactions, including both anemia and neutropenia.
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Although the serum half-life of zidovudine is one hour, the intracellular half-life of its 5′-triphosphate form approaches three hours, suggesting that . . .
