Azidothymidine
See also under antiviral
Generic and Trade Names:
| Azidothymidine (AZT) (Zidovudine) | Apozidovudine | |||
| Retrovir | ||||
| Novo-AZT |
Description:
Azidothymidine (AZT, Zidovudine) is a synthetic thymidine analog from a class of antivirals. It delays progression of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in infected patients with marked deficiency of helper T-lymphocytes, or interstitial plasma cell pneumonia.
AZT interferes with the essential enzymatic system of the virus and prevents the growth and reproduction of HIV particles within the tissue cells.
Nutritional Considerations:
Vitamin E may be helpful in increasing AZT effectiveness and decreasing its toxicity. (Gogu 1989)
Limit fatty foods (fat decreases absorption of the oral drug). (Unadkat 1990)
Carnitine deficiency is possible. (Dalakas 1994)
B12 deficiency is possible. (Paltiel 1994)
Minerals may become depleted e.g. Copper and Zinc. (Baum 1991)
Anorexia is possible. (Pronsky 1999)
Herbal Considerations:
Garlic may be beneficial. (Abdullah 1989)
Glycyrrhizin found in Licorice may be helpful. (Ito 1988)(Hattori 1989)
References
Abdullah TH, et al. Enhancement of natural killer cell activity in AIDS with garlic. Dtsch Zschr Onkol 1989;21:52-53.
Baum MK, Javier JJ, Mantero-Atienza E, et al. Zidovudine Associated Adverse Reactions in a Longitudinal Study of Asymptomatic HIV-1-Infected Homosexual Males. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndrome 1991, 4(12):1218-26.
Crowe S, Cooper DA & Chambers D: Antiretroviral therapies for HIV. Med J Aust 1996; 164:290-295.
Dalakas MC, Leon-Monzon ME, Bernardini I, et al. Zidovudine-induced mitochondrial myopathy is associated with muscle carnitine deficiency and lipid storage. Ann Neurol 1994;35:482-87.
Elwell LP, Ferone R, Freeman GA et al: Antibacterial activity and mechanism of action of 3'-azido'3-'deoxythymidine (BW A509U). Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1987; 31:274-280.
Facts and Comparisons, Clinisphere 2.0, Wolters Kluwer Company, 1999.
Fischl MA, Richman DD, Grieco MH et al: The efficacy of azidothymidine (AZT) in the treatment of patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex. N Engl J Med 1987; 317:185-191.
Furman PA & Barry DW: Spectrum of antiviral activity and mechanism of action of zidovudine. Am J Med 1988; 85(Suppl):176-181.
Gogu SR, et al. Increased therapeutic efficacy of zidovudine in combination with vitamin E. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1989;165:401-407.
Hattori I, Ikematsu S, Koito A, et al. Preliminary evidence for inhibitory effect of glycyrrhizin on HIV replication in patients with AIDS. Antivir Res 1989;11:255-62.
Ito M, Sato A, Hirabayashi K, et al. Mechanism of inhibitory effect of glycyrrhizin on replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Antivir Res 1988;10:289-98.
Kassler WJ, Blanc P, Greenblatt R. The use of medicinal herbs by human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. Arch Intern Med 1991;151:2281-8.
Long, J.W., The Essential Guide to Prescription Drugs. 1993. Harper Collins Publisher, New York, pages 999-1002.
Paltiel O, Falutz J, Veilleux M, et al. Clinical Correlates of Subnormal Vitamin B12 Levels in Patients Infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Am J Hematol, 1995, 49(4):318-22.
Product Information: Retrovir(R), zidovudine. Glaxo Wellcome, Research Triangle Park, NC, 1996.
Pronsky, Zaneta. Food Medication Interactions. 11th edition. 1999.
Unadkat JD, Collier AC, Crosbys S et al: Pharmacokinetics of oral zidovudine (azidothymidine) in patients with AIDS when administered with and without a high-fat meal. AIDS 1990; 4:229-232.
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