How Does Azt Work

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An Overview of Retrovir (Zidovudine, AZT)

zye-DOE-vyoo-deen Brand Name: Retrovir Other Name(s): AZT, Azidothymidine, ZDV Drug Class: Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors What is zidovudine? Zidovudine is a type of medicine called a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). It works by disrupting one of the early steps in the HIV life cycle, called reverse transcription. During normal reverse transcription, HIV's reverse transcriptase enzyme (a type...

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AZT TONGUE PIGMENTATION- AZT 2 ever?

Hi Doctor Young, Does AZT cause a nasty looking pigmenation (black to purple spots to develop on the inside of the tongue and mouth?) Does the AZT that is offered as medicine today in combination with other drugs still produce this result? AZT...

Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Rocky Mountain CARES

Zidovudine (ADV, AZT) can cause hyperpigmentation of nails and skin- I suppose that it could cause hyperpigmentation of the tongue, but I am not aware of this personally. Yes, when used in combination, the possibility of side effects remain,... Read more »

kaletra/videx/azt- leeway with time?

dear doctor Boyle,I am switching from sustiva/epivir/zerit because the combo was no longer working. my doctor will put me on kaletra/azt/videxEC.1) do I have some play time with this combination as far as when I take them (an hour or so before or...

Response from Brian Boyle, M.D., J.D.

Cornell University, Weill Medical College

The regimen you will be on will be once a day for the Videx EC and roughly every 12 hours for the Kaletra and AZT. The Videx and Kaletra are relatively forgiving, the AZT less so. You should be as close to on schedule as you can but an hour either... Read more »

AZT induced anemia -- Now what?

As always, I try to read as much as possible to see if something fits my condition close enough that I may be able to avoid asking the question to spare you a little work. However, if I didn't have fatigue before, I sure do now after all that...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Greetings!I would certainly agree with your decision to start therapy. Sustiva and combivir is a good first choice, particularly considering its convenient dosing. Your rapid drop in hemoglobin and the associated increase in your fatigue are most... Read more »

AZT side effets and options

Hey Brians or Keith. Thanks for the great work Here the history: I was diagnosed hiv + in May 1997. I am actually on meds with Combivir and Sustiva (started this combo in January 2001 and very compliant) I also take pravachol (meds side effects) to...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

I don't advise stopping meds if the CD4 count has ever been < 200 in most cases. Your anemia is mild so it is unclear whether that alone is a major factor with your fatigue. Switching to abacavir (or tenofovir) is an option depending on... Read more »

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