What Is Azt Medication

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Get the Facts

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...

Ask the Experts

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 »

AZT

Dear Doctor,I was diagnosed in 1990 and at the time the only treatment available was AZT. I cannot understand why, after so many years and considering the availability of newer medications, AZT is still used in current regimens. The reason for my...

Response from Gerald Pierone, M.D.

AIDS Research and Treatment Center of the Treasure Coast

Hello and thanks for posting.I cannot understand either except that old habits die hard. We have better drugs and better regimens available.... Read more »

Muscles wasting on AZT

Dear doctor, I have been now for almost three years HIV + and initially I had some difficulty tolerating the medications, now I am on a combination for 4 moth, of twice a day 2x200/50mg Kalitra, lopinavir/ritonavivr. 1x twice a day Retrovir...

Response from Gerald Pierone, M.D.

AIDS Research and Treatment Center of the Treasure Coast

Hello and thanks for posting. The culprit in this regimen with regard to the body changes is AZT (zidovudine, Retrovir) and it should be stopped or these side effects will continue to progress. The Kaletra is probably causing the diarrhea. Unless... Read more »

AZT anemia ?

Dear Dr. Robert,I am the guy who sent you some questions a few months ago from Thailand. My wife started medication 6 months ago and went undetectable with CD4 to 439. She is on combivir+sustiva. I am still not on meds with VL 8800 and CD4 at 372....

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,It sounds like your wife is doing well on her current regimen undetectable viral load, CD4 count up to 439, no signs of fatigue, and actually has more energy than six months ago! That's all great news! The minor abnormalities in her CBC... Read more »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Connect With Others