Basic Facts

• Discovered as an AIDS drug in 1985 by Samuel Broder, Hiroaki Mitsuya, Robert Yarchoan, and Janet Rideout.

• Zidovudine is commonly referred to as Azidothmidine (AZT or ZDV)

• First approved drug for the treatment of HIV (Approved in 1987)

• Increases CD4 counts in AIDS patients

• Sold under the names of “Retrovir” and “Retrovis”

• Zidovudine is an ingredient in HIV medicines “Trizivir” and “Combivir”

• Chemical Formula- C₁₀H₁₃N₅O₄

• Crystal Structure

• Manmade compound