How AZT Works

Zidovudine, or AZT, is an analog of thymine. This means that the AZT acts as a deformed “T” nucleobase within DNA.

DNA carries the blue print for each and every cell. DNA takes the form of a double helix and within the helix there are four different types of nucleobases: Adenine “A”, Thymine “T”, Guanine “G”, and Cytosine “C”.  Adenine “A” always creates a hydrogen bond with Thymine “T” within the double helix. Similarly, Guanine “G” always bonds with Cytosine “C”. 

Reverse transpription takes AZT and tries to incorp into DNA then DNA and once its incorporated the strand is ruined and ended

In order to create new DNA, the double helix separates and forms a replication fork.