Zidovudine Now or Later?

In 1985, zidovudine was found to have in vitro activity against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The first large clinical trial, initiated in February 1986 in patients with advanced HIV disease, was stopped by the safety monitoring board after seven months because there was a significant survival advantage for those who received zidovudine. The drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 1987¹,². Its efficacy has now been demonstrated for nearly every clinical and laboratory index that it makes sense to study. These include prolongation of survival, delay of the occurrence of an AIDS-defining…