What will happen if my hiv+ friend stops taking azt (zidovudine)?

Just AZT (zidovudine)?: If he's only taking azt (zidovudine), (zidovudine) stopping it may not cause many problems, because azt (zidovudine) alone is an ineffective way to treat hiv. If he's taking azt (zidovudine) in addition to other HIV drugs, then stopping will cause his viral load to go up, his CD4 count to decline, and he will be at greater risk for dying, progressing to aids, or developing other complications. He could also develop drug resistance by stopping.