How Do You Spell AZIDOTHYMIDINE?

Pronunciation: [ˈazɪdˌɒθɪmˌɪdiːn] (IPA)

Azidothymidine is a medication used to treat HIV/AIDS. The spelling of this drug's name can be intimidating due to its length and the presence of uncommon letters. However, its pronunciation can be easily broken down using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Each syllable of azidothymidine is pronounced separately: /əzɪdoʊˈθaɪmɪdiːn/. The stress falls on the third syllable, and the last 2 syllables are pronounced as "dih-neen." Understanding the IPA transcription can make pronouncing complex medical terms, like azidothymidine, less daunting.

AZIDOTHYMIDINE Meaning and Definition

1. Azidothymidine, commonly referred to as AZT, is a nucleoside analog that belongs to a class of antiviral drugs known as reverse transcriptase inhibitors. It is primarily used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

   AZT derives its name from its chemical structure, which contains an azide group and a thymidine base. It works by interfering with the replication process of the virus, specifically targeting the reverse transcriptase enzyme required for viral DNA synthesis. By doing so, AZT inhibits the ability of the virus to reproduce and multiply within the host's cells.

   This antiviral drug is administered orally in the form of capsules or tablets. It is quickly absorbed after ingestion and undergoes a series of chemical transformations in the body to become active. The active form of AZT is then able to enter infected cells and competes with the natural building blocks of DNA synthesis, leading to the incorporation of AZT into the growing viral DNA chain. However, unlike the natural nucleotides, AZT lacks a hydroxyl group at the 3' position, which causes DNA synthesis to terminate and prevents further elongation of the viral DNA strand.

   While AZT has provided significant advancements in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, it is not a cure and must be used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs. Despite its effectiveness in inhibiting viral replication, AZT can also lead to various side effects, such as anemia, nausea, headache, and fatigue. Regular monitoring of blood cell counts and liver function is necessary to ensure optimal dosing and minimize potential adverse reactions.

Common Misspellings for AZIDOTHYMIDINE

• zzidothymidine
• szidothymidine
• wzidothymidine
• qzidothymidine
• axidothymidine
• asidothymidine
• aaidothymidine
• azudothymidine
• azjdothymidine
• azkdothymidine
• azodothymidine
• az9dothymidine
• az8dothymidine
• azisothymidine
• azixothymidine
• azicothymidine
• azifothymidine
• azirothymidine
• azieothymidine

Etymology of AZIDOTHYMIDINE

The word "azidothymidine" comes from a combination of two elements: "azido" and "thymidine". - "Azido" is derived from the chemical compound "azide", which refers to a molecule containing a nitrogen atom (N) bonded to two or three nitrogen atoms (N3), forming a negatively charged ion. The term "azide" itself originated from the German word "azid", which means "azide" or "azido".- "Thymidine" is a nucleoside, which is a building block of DNA. It consists of a pyrimidine base called "thymine" (originally derived from the Greek word "thȳmus", meaning "spirit" or "life-force") and a sugar molecule called "deoxyribose". The word "thymidine" is a combination of "thymine" and "deoxyribose".

Plural form of AZIDOTHYMIDINE is AZIDOTHYMIDINES