Pharmacologic Substance
zidovudine
zi·do·vu·dine [ zahy-doh-vyoo-deen ]
Brand Names:
Combivir; Retrovir; Trizivir
Effect:
Decreased Reverse Transcription to DNA
May Prevent:
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
May Treat:
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
More Information:
Definitions related to zidovudine:
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A dideoxynucleoside compound in which the 3'-hydroxy group on the sugar moiety has been replaced by an azido group. This modification prevents the formation of phosphodiester linkages which are needed for the completion of nucleic acid chains. The compound is a potent inhibitor of HIV replication, acting as a chain-terminator of viral DNA during reverse transcription. It improves immunologic function, partially reverses the HIV-induced neurological dysfunction, and improves certain other clinical abnormalities associated with AIDS. Its principal toxic effect is dose-dependent suppression of bone marrow, resulting in anemia and leukopenia.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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A drug that inhibits the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. It is a type of systemic antiviral.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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A synthetic dideoxynucleoside. After intracellular phosphorylation to its active metabolite, zidovudine inhibits DNA polymerase, resulting in the inhibition of DNA replication and cell death. This agent also decreases levels of available pyrimidines. (NCI04)NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Synthetic thymidine analog that inhibits replication of some retroviruses, including human immunodeficiency virus; used in the management of AIDS or HIV infection.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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AZT, drug used to delay development of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) in patients infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). AZT belongs to a group of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). In 1987 AZT became the first of these drugs to be approved by...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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