Zidovudine

Uses

Zidovudine is an anti-retroviral which is prescribed and used in treatments for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections.

How it Works

Zidovudine treats HIV infections by inhibiting viral reverse transcriptase and DNA polymerases. The HIV virus needs An enzyme called RT (reverse transcriptase) to replicate its DNA in order to spread and infect more cells. Zidovudine works by blocking the reverse transcriptase, this then helps to terminate the DNA chain and prevent the virus from multiplying. Zidovudine slows down the HIV Infection progress in the body but it is not a cure.

Common Side effects

Patients who take Zidovudine may suffer from such side effects;

Diarrhea,
Decreased appetite,
Headaches,
Sleep disruption,
Body fat abnormalities,
Digestive upset or discomfort