Zidovudine – Your Go‑To Guide

When working with Zidovudine, an antiretroviral drug that blocks HIV replication. Also known as AZT, it is a cornerstone of antiretroviral therapy, the combination treatment used to keep the virus in check. Zidovudine belongs to the class of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, which stop the reverse transcriptase enzyme from copying viral RNA into DNA. The whole approach targets HIV, the virus that attacks the immune system.

How Zidovudine fits into modern HIV care

In everyday practice, doctors prescribe Zidovudine as part of a multi‑drug regimen because a single drug rarely suppresses the virus enough on its own. When combined with other agents—like lamivudine, efavirenz or tenofovir—it helps drive the viral load down to undetectable levels, which translates into a stronger immune system and fewer opportunistic infections. The drug works by mimicking the natural building blocks of DNA; once HIV’s reverse transcriptase tries to use Zidovudine, the chain stops growing and the virus can’t multiply. This mechanism makes it especially useful for patients just starting treatment or those who need a well‑studied, affordable option. Since its approval in the late 1980s, Zidovudine has shown consistent efficacy, but newer drugs with fewer side effects are now often preferred as first‑line choices.

Dosage depends on body weight and whether the patient is adult or pediatric. Typical adult dosing is 300 mg taken twice daily with food, which helps reduce stomach irritation. For children, the dose is calculated in mg per kilogram, and pediatric formulations are flavored to improve adherence. Side effects are a key consideration: common complaints include nausea, headache, fatigue and mild anemia. More serious but rare issues involve liver inflammation and lactic acidosis, especially when the drug is combined with other NRTIs. Regular blood work—checking hemoglobin, liver enzymes and kidney function—lets clinicians catch problems early. Interactions matter, too; zidovudine’s absorption can drop if taken with certain antacids, and it may affect the efficacy of some chemotherapy agents.

All that said, Zidovudine remains a valuable tool in the HIV toolbox, particularly for patients who need a cost‑effective backbone for their regimen or for those enrolled in clinical trials where a well‑characterized drug is essential. In the list below you’ll find deeper dives into dosing strategies, side‑effect management, drug‑interaction alerts and real‑world experiences from people living with HIV. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver or health professional, the articles ahead will give you practical insights you can use right away.