Alovudine
Alovudine
Alovudine (pronounced: a-lo-vu-dine) is an antiviral medication used in the treatment of HIV and AIDS. It belongs to the class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
Etymology
The term 'Alovudine' is derived from the chemical structure of the drug. The prefix 'Alo-' is derived from the Greek word 'allos', meaning 'other', and 'vudine' is a common suffix used in the names of antiviral drugs, particularly those that are nucleoside analogues.
Usage
Alovudine is used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs to slow the progression of HIV infection. It works by inhibiting the action of an enzyme called reverse transcriptase, which is necessary for the virus to replicate.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Alovudine include nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. More serious side effects can include liver damage and a decrease in the number of certain types of blood cells.
Related Terms
- Antiretroviral therapy: The use of medications to manage HIV and prevent its progression to AIDS.
- Nucleoside: A basic building block of DNA and RNA.
- Reverse transcriptase: An enzyme that converts RNA into DNA, allowing HIV to replicate.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Alovudine
- Wikipedia's article - Alovudine
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