Zidovudine (Retrovir)

Mechanism of action

From the NCI Drug Dictionary: A synthetic dideoxynucleoside. After intracellular phosphorylation to its active metabolite, zidovudine inhibits DNA polymerase, resulting in the inhibition of DNA replication and cell death. This agent also decreases levels of available pyrimidines.

Diseases for which it is used

• Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma

Also known as

• Generic names: azidothymidine, AZT, ZDV
• Brand names: Aztec, Retrovir