How effective is AZT?
We now know that not only should AZT not be used on its own, but that its use does not extend life. Two main studies were carried out, one by the Veterans Administration, and the other called the Concorde Study. Both were large studies of early treatment with AZT. Both have shown that while taking AZT early in HIV infection can reduce the incidence of AIDS-related infections, it will not prolong life. We now know that to be effective AZT must be taken in combination with at least one other drug. The most common combinations are with 3TC, ddI or ddC. But, we also now know that even the most potent and recent combination of anti-HIV drugs does not cure HIV. These drugs simply seem to prolong the interval between contracting HIV and developing the infections characteristic of AIDS. Side effects of AZT AZT has many side effects. This is to be expected in a drug of its type, since it is likely to affect healthy cells as well as diseased cells, which is a common problem in many types of chem
