Magic Johnson, Did You Take Azt?

Basketball legend Magic Johnson announced his HIV diagnosis in 1991, which was considered an imminent death sentence. However, progress in the treatment of HIV/AIDS has been remarkable. The first antiretroviral drug to treat HIV, zidovudine (AZT), was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1987. However, Johnson ultimately had to retire from the National Basketball League (NBA) in 1996 due to his illness. Initially, AZT was prescribed as 1,200 mg per day and showed to reduce infection and increase CD4 count.

In an appearance on CBS Mornings, Magic Johnson discussed living with HIV three decades after he was initially diagnosed with the virus prior to the 1991-92 season. He revealed that he had contracted HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, on November 7, 20 years ago. His wife, Cookie, also revealed that 25 years ago, on this date, Johnson announced that he had contracted HIV. In a press conference, Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers announced the news.

Magic Johnson’s doctor, Dr. Ho, knew there had to be something better than AZT, the first drug to treat HIV. To disrupt these processes, Johnson is currently taking reverse transcriptase inhibitor and protease inhibitor. It has been 30 years since basketball legend Magic Johnson announced his HIV diagnosis, and he began taking the standard treatment for HIV, AZT, on Monday.

Despite the significant progress made in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, the virus still disproportionately burdens minority populations. Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s announcement that he contracted HIV served as a public-health catalyst for rapidly improving the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

Why was the AZT trial considered unethical?

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa has raised ethical concerns for researchers and clinicians, particularly in the Zidovudine trials in the late 1990s. The trials raised concerns about subject exploitation, injustice, and an ethical double standard between donor countries and resource-poor settings. However, the real double standard is between clinical practice standards in Western and African countries, which must be addressed due to the increasing global inequity of wealth.

Ethical declarations, principles, and guidelines have limitations without contextual ethical reasoning. The focus on research ethics with the HIV epidemic has led to a relative neglect of ethical issues in clinical practice. Although scientific advances have changed ethical issues since the 1990s, concerns remain about overregulation of research by bureaucratic agencies, which could discourage African research on specific African health issues. African academic institutions and researchers need to improve their research capacity with the assistance of research funders and donor agencies.

What is the survival rate for AZT patients?

During the first year of follow-up, immediate use of Zidovudine (AZT) halved the rate of disease progression (P98), but this early benefit did not persist. After six years, AIDS-free survival was 54 in both groups, with no difference in the initial benefit. AZT, the first antiretroviral drug used in HIV and AIDS, is expensive and has adverse effects like nausea, vomiting, blood problems, and muscle weakness. The review of trials found that AZT does delay the early progression of HIV disease, but this improvement is not sustained. AZT alone does not increase survival for people without AIDS.

What are the side effects of AZT?

Patients on zidovudine should be closely monitored for side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, myalgias, insomnia, bone marrow suppression, peripheral myopathy, lactic acidosis, elevated liver enzymes, and hepatotoxicity. Healthcare professionals should be aware of drug interactions and take precautions to mitigate side effects. Regular monitoring of a complete metabolic panel and blood count is recommended. Trimethoprim can inhibit renal elimination, while probenecid may increase side effects due to decreased excretion and metabolism.

What is the history of AZT?

Azidothymidine (AZT), synthesized by Jerome Horowitz in 1964, was initially tested as a potential anti-cancer agent. A preliminary clinical trial conducted at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center demonstrated that AZT could enhance immune function in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Why is zidovudine not used anymore?

AZT is no longer used alone due to potential drug resistance, but it is safe for pregnant women and the fetus when used according to guidelines. There are concerns about long-term complications in the fetus, but research shows that the drug’s benefits in reducing HIV transmission to the baby outweigh the risk. AZT can be toxic to the bone marrow, causing anemia and neutropenia, which can require blood transfusions in serious cases.

People with abnormally low hemoglobin levels or neutrophil counts should not take AZT and should monitor their blood cell counts closely. Anemia usually occurs within the first four to six weeks after starting AZT, and only about 1 to 2 of people taking AZT develop anemia. Estimates of neutropenia range from 1. 8 to 8.

What drug replaced AZT?

Zidovudine (AZT) is an antiretroviral drug used for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in combination with lamivudine, which significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection following the first single exposure to the virus. It has been replaced by other antiretrovirals like tenofovir to provide PEP. AZT is essential for uninfected siblings’ perinatal and neonatal development and has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission to 8 when given in a three-part regimen post-conception, delivery, and six weeks post-delivery.

During 1994 to 1999, AZT was the primary form of prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission, preventing over 1000 parental and infant deaths from AIDS in the United States. The accepted standard of care for HIV-positive mothers was the 076 regimen, which involved five daily doses from the second trimester onwards and intravenously administered during labor. However, this treatment was lengthy and expensive, making it unfeasible in the Global South, where mother-to-child transmission was a significant problem.

Zidovudine also has antibacterial properties, though not routinely used in clinical settings. Promising results from in vitro and in vivo studies showed the efficacy of AZT against multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, especially when combined with other active agents.

In conclusion, AZT is a valuable tool for preventing HIV transmission and improving the care and survival of impoverished subjects.

What replaced AZT?

The objective of HIV prevention efforts is to reduce the risk of infection following the initial exposure. This is achieved through the use of antiretrovirals such as tenofovir for Post-Experimental Protection (PEP), which serve to replace AZT.

Is zidovudine the same as AZT?

Zidovudine, also known as AZT, is a medication used to treat HIV infection, which causes AIDS. It slows the progression of the disease in patients with advanced, early, or no symptoms. It also helps prevent pregnant women from transmitting the virus to their babies during pregnancy and at birth. Zidovudine does not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS, but it helps prevent HIV replication and slows down immune system destruction, potentially delaying the development of AIDS-related problems. It does not prevent the spread of HIV to others and is only available with a doctor’s prescription.