A 40-year-old member asked:
What will happen if my hiv+ friend stops taking azt (zidovudine)?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joel Gallantanswered
Infectious Disease 38 years experience
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.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Feb 13, 2015
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