azidothymidine

noun

az·​i·​do·​thy·​mi·​dine ə-ˌzi-dō-ˈthī-mə-ˌdēn 

: azt

Examples of azidothymidine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By 1987 the first anti-HIV drug, azidothymidine or AZT, was licensed for the treatment of AIDS. — Vincent Racaniello, Discover Magazine, 12 Jan. 2012

The first treatment for AIDS -- AZT or azidothymidine -- had staggering side effects including intestinal problems, vomiting and damage to the immune system. — The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Dec. 2021

Hope ultimately came in the form of life-saving treatment options, starting with the approval of azidothymidine (AZT) for treating HIV/AIDS in 1987. — Pearl Pugh, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Another shortcoming, notes biochemist Jan Gettemans of Ghent University, is that unlike many important drugs, including statins and the anti-HIV drug azidothymidine, the antibodies can't enter cells on their own. — Mitch Leslie, Science | AAAS, 10 May 2018

In 1987, azidothymidine (AZT) became the first medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat HIV/AIDS. — ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026

April 29, 2020 Fauci, who took the helm of NIAID in 1984, likened the new findings to the 1986 discovery that the anti-retroviral drug azidothymidine, or AZT, could suppress the HIV virus in patients with AIDS. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for azidothymidine

• apolipoprotein
• dimethylaniline
• hydroxytryptamine
• metallothionein
• oleomargarine
• oxyacetylene
• phenoxybenzamine
• phosphatidylserine
• trichloroethylene
• triethanolamine
• acetylcysteine
• antisubmarine

Medical Definition

azidothymidine

noun

az·​i·​do·​thy·​mi·​dine ˌaz-i-dō-ˈthī-mə-ˌdēn 

: azt