Zidovudine

Zidovudine was the first agent approved for treatment of HIV disease, and since its widespread availability in 1987, the pharmacokinetic disposition and clinical effects of ZDV have been extensively evaluated. In addition to its utility as a component of a multidrug combination regimen for the treatment of adult and pediatric HIV-1 infection, it is the only agent approved by the FDA for the prevention of mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission. The effectiveness of ZDV for the prevention of mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission has been demonstrated in several studies. The optimal time during gestation to initiate ZDV therapy and the relative importance of the intrapartum and newborn components is the focus of both current interventional and observational studies. Until more information is available from these trials, the combined maternal/newborn ZDV regimen studied in ACTG 076 remains the recommended treatment regimen of choice in the United States.