Question 1

how can reverse transcriptase inhibitors work?

Accepted Answer

Reverse transcriptas: Great wikipedia question. Need much more room than we have here. But basically they inhibit reverse transcriptase by binding to an active site on RT.

Question 2

are azt (zidovudine) type meds safe?

Accepted Answer

That depends: Azt (zidovudine) ishas a lot of side effects and toxicity, which is why it's less often used in the U.S. And other resource-rich countries these days.  The more commonly used drugs in this class (the nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors, or nrtis) are tenofovir, abacavir, lamivudine, and emtricitabine.  These drugs are safer, more convenient, and more potent.

Question 3

what does it mean when someone takes azt (zidovudine)?

Accepted Answer

AZT (zidovudine) treats HIV: Azt or zidovudine is one of several HIV medications used to treat HIV infection.  It belongs to a class of HIV medications called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (nrtis).

Question 4

what is the time that resistance will happen to azt (zidovudine)?

Accepted Answer

Depends: The amount of time for resistance to happen to azt (or zidovudine) depends on how adherent one is in taking their HIV medications.  Standard HIV regimen usually includes at least a combination of 3 medications, often called haart (highly active anti-retroviral therapy).  If someone is close to 100% adherent to their haart, resistance is very unlikely. However, lesser adherence leads to resistance.

Question 5

can azt (zidovudine) be used to treat syphilis?

Accepted Answer

No: I am not aware of any data supporting an effect of zidovudine on syphilis.

Question 6

are azt (zidovudine) type meds for aids really safe?

Accepted Answer

New drugs better: Azt (zidovudine) is an old drug with considerable toxicity.  It's not widely used in the U.S. Anymore.   The many antiretroviral agents that have taken its place can still have side effects, but they are far safer and better tolerated than the older drugs...And far safer and less toxic than HIV infection.

Question 7

how do i find an azt (zidovudine) clinic?

Accepted Answer

HIV clinic: You don't want an "azt clinic, " you want an "hiv clinic."  you can ask your doctor, or a local aids service organization.  There are also websites where you can find out about local HIV centers and clinicians in your area, including http://www.Hivma.Org and http://www.Aahivm.Org.

Question 8

what is the time that resistance will develop to azt (zidovudine)?

Accepted Answer

Depends: The amount of time for resistance to happen to azt (or zidovudine) depends on how adherent one is in taking their HIV medications.  Standard HIV regimen usually includes at least a combination of 3 medications, often called haart (highly active anti-retroviral therapy).  If someone is close to 100% adherent to their haart, resistance is very unlikely. However, lesser adherence leads to resistance.

Question 9

can you  take atripla and zidovudine (azt) together?

Accepted Answer

Yes: That would generally be done only if you had some degree of nucleoside analog resistance, such as resistance to the Emtricitabine component of atripla.

Question 10

was azt (zidovudine) originally developed for cancer?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It was originally developed as a nucleoside analog. It was thought that it might lead to false replication of dna in tumor cells. It failed. That goes back to the 60's. Later drugs of this type were tested for retroviruses and the rest is history. 
There is a nice article from the ny times in 1986.

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Azt nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor

A member asked:

How can reverse transcriptase inhibitors work?

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Are azt (zidovudine) type meds safe?

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What does it mean when someone takes azt (zidovudine)?

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What is the time that resistance will happen to azt (zidovudine)?

A member asked:

Can azt (zidovudine) be used to treat syphilis?

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Are azt (zidovudine) type meds for aids really safe?

A member asked:

How do i find an azt (zidovudine) clinic?

A member asked:

What is the time that resistance will develop to azt (zidovudine)?

A member asked:

Can you take atripla and zidovudine (azt) together?

A member asked:

Was azt (zidovudine) originally developed for cancer?

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