Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Retrovir, others |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
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Routes of administration |
By mouth, IV, rectal suppository |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | Complete absorption, following first-pass metabolism systemic availability 75% (range 52 to 75%) |
Protein binding | 30 to 38% |
Metabolism | liver |
Biological half-life | 0.5 to 3 hours |
Excretion | kidney and biliary |
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PDB ligand | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.152.492 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C10H13N5O4 |
Molar mass | 267.242 g/mol |
3D model (Jmol) | |
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(what is this?) |
Zidovudine (ZDV), also known as azidothymidine (AZT), is an antiretroviral medication used to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. It is generally recommended for use with other antiretroviral. It may be used to prevent mother to child spread during birth or after a needlestick injury or other potential exposure. It is sold both by itself and together as lamivudine/zidovudine and abacavir/lamivudine/zidovudine. It can be used by mouth or by slow injection into a vein.
Common side effects include headaches, fever, and nausea. Serious side effects include liver problems, muscle damage, and high blood lactate levels. It is commonly used in pregnancy and appears to be safe for the baby. ZDV is of the nucleoside analog reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) class. It works by inhibiting the enzyme reverse transcriptase that HIV uses to make DNA and therefore decreases replication of the virus.
Zidovudine was first described in 1964. It was approved in the United States in 1986 and was the first treatment for HIV. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. It is available as a generic medication. The wholesale cost in the developing world is 5.10 to 25.60 USD per month. As of 2015, the cost for a typical month of medication in the United States was more than 200 USD.