Zidovudine (AZT): Chemical Structure, Mechanism of Action, Uses & Side Effects

Chemical Formula:

• C10H13N5O4

Structure of Zidovudine

Mechanism of Action:

• Zidovudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that primarily works against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

• It is a nucleoside analogue that, after phosphorylation into its active form, zidovudine triphosphate, competes with natural nucleotides for incorporation into the growing viral DNA chain by reverse transcriptase.

• This incorporation results in chain termination and inhibition of viral replication.

Uses:

• Zidovudine is used to treat HIV infection and can be used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

• It is also used to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

Side Effects:

Some common side effects of zidovudine include:

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Insomnia

Serious side effects may include:

• Bone marrow suppression (anaemia, neutropenia)

• Lactic acidosis

• Hepatomegaly with steatosis

• Myopathy