How does zidovudine work?

Zidovudine, also known as AZT, functions by inhibiting reverse transcriptase, an enzyme crucial for the replication of retroviruses such as HIV. Reverse transcriptase catalyzes the conversion of viral RNA into DNA, which is necessary for the integration of the viral genome into the host cell's DNA. By blocking this enzyme, zidovudine halts the replication process of the virus, thereby reducing the viral load in the body and helping to manage HIV infection.

This mechanism is fundamental to its role as an antiretroviral medication, as it targets a specific step in the HIV life cycle, providing a direct approach to limit the spread and impact of the virus. Understanding this action is pivotal for comprehensively grasping how antiretroviral therapies function in the treatment of HIV.