AZT is the abbreviation for 3´-azido-2´,3´-dideoxythymidine, a
nucleoside analog frequently used to treat retrovirii such as
HIV. It goes by the common name
zidovudine, and is also marketed as
Retrovir. Blocks the action of
reverse transcriptase because it
mimics the structure of its normal
substrate. Reverse transcriptase binds it very strongly, but cannot shed it easily, effectively blocking the
enzyme's
active site and preventing the reverse
transcription of the viral
genome.
Common side effects:
bone marrow damage,
myopathy(muscle pain).
See also:
Protease Inhibitor