ZDV, also known as zidovudine, is a medication used to treat HIV infection. Synonyms for ZDV include azidothymidine, retrovir, and azT. Retrovir is a brand name for zidovudine, while azT is an abbreviation for its chemical name, azidothymidine. Other synonyms for ZDV include zidon, zidovir, and pyrimidine nucleoside analogue. Zidovudine belongs to a class of medications called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), which work by blocking an enzyme called reverse transcriptase, thereby preventing HIV from replicating in the body. It is important to note that while ZDV can effectively suppress the virus and improve quality of life for HIV-positive individuals, it is not a cure for the disease.