You and your doctor should consider your T-cell count, your viral load, any symptoms you are having, and your attitude about taking HIV medications. Because AZT was the first anti-HIV drug approved, it has been studied more than any other drug. And because there is more research on AZT than on any other anti-HIV drug, it is prescribed the most often. AZT greatly reduces transmission of HIV from the mother to her child. It is given to HIV-positive pregnant women from the 4th month of pregnancy until their baby is born, and to the newborn baby for 6 weeks.
Some mutations can resist an antiviral drug and continue to multiply.
When this happens, the drug will stop working. Resistance may not develop for several years, if at all. HIV that is resistant to AZT can be transmitted from person to person. Someone infected with AZT-resistant HIV will not benefit from taking the drug. The recommended dose of AZT for adults is 500mg to 600mg daily.