Question

The drug which is used for treating AIDS victims is-
a. Azidothymidine
b. Cis-platin
c. Taxol
d. All of them

Answer 1

Hint: AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a chronic and life-threatening condition that is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The disease progression can be slowed with the use of certain antiviral drugs.

Complete step-by-step answer:
HIV is the causative agent of AIDS. This disease interferes with the immune system of the body and thereby affects the ability to ward off infections.
AIDS is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy individual due to contact with infected semen, vaginal fluid, or blood.
This chronic condition can not be treated. Administration of antiretroviral regimens helps in slowing the disease's progression. This can help prevent complications pertaining to secondary infections.
Azidothymidine is also called zidovudine. It is used in antiretroviral medicine for the prevention and treatment of AIDS. It belongs to the group of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
Azidothymidine acts by reducing HIV in the blood. It is available as capsules, syrup, injections, and tablets. It is generally used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.
Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug used in combination with other anti-cancer drugs and/or radiotherapy. It induces cytotoxicity in cancer cells due to the formation of DNA adducts and cross-links between cisplatin and DNA. This arrests the cell cycle causing apoptosis.
Taxol, also called paclitaxel, is a plant alkaloid used as a chemotherapeutic drug. It prevents cancer cell growth and spreading to surrounding and distant organs.
The correct option is (A) Azidothymidine :





Note: Azidothymidine can be obtained from fish sperm or be produced in labs synthetically. It was first developed by a U.S. researcher in the 1960s.