What mechanism does zidovudine (*Retro*vir) utilize to combat HIV?

Zidovudine, also known as AZT (azidothymidine), is an antiretroviral medication that is specifically designed to combat HIV by inhibiting reverse transcriptase. This enzyme is crucial for the replication of the virus as it converts the viral RNA into DNA, allowing for integration into the host cell's genome. By blocking reverse transcriptase, zidovudine prevents the virus from replicating and effectively reduces viral load in the infected individual.

Understanding this mechanism is essential for recognizing the drug's role in the treatment of HIV infection. Since reverse transcriptase is unique to retroviruses like HIV, the targeted inhibition by zidovudine also helps to minimize effects on the host's cellular mechanisms, making it an effective part of antiretroviral therapy. Other mechanisms listed, such as inhibiting viral RNA polymerase or neuraminidase, are not relevant to zidovudine's action against HIV. Thus, zidovudine is specifically categorized as a reverse transcriptase inhibitor, which is critical for its function in managing HIV.