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

Chemical Formula:

  • C10H13N5O4

Structure of Zidovudine
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

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