Final answer:
Azidothymidine (AZT) is an antiviral used to treat AIDS by inhibiting reverse transcriptase. It was the first approved drug for AIDS and remains a crucial part of ART, though new drugs are continuously needed due to drug-resistant HIV strains.
Step-by-step explanation:
Azidothymidine (AZT) is a antiviral drug used in the treatment of AIDS. Its mechanism involves targeting the enzyme reverse transcriptase, which is crucial for the replication of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. By binding to this enzyme, AZT prevents the virus from completing the process of converting its RNA into DNA, which is a necessary step for the virus to multiply and spread.
It is important to note that AZT, also known as zidovudine or Retrovir, was the first drug approved for the treatment of AIDS. As part of the larger Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), AZT has played a critical role in extending the lifespans of those with AIDS and managing symptoms. However, continued development of new drugs is vital due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains of HIV.
Azidothymidine (AZT), also known as zidovudine or Retrovir, is an antiviral drug used in the treatment of AIDS. It specifically targets the enzyme reverse transcriptase, which is involved in the replication process of the HIV virus. AZT works by binding to reverse transcriptase in place of deoxythymidine triphosphate, blocking further replication of the virus.