Zalcitabine
Synonyms
2',3' Dideoxycytidine
2',3'-Dideoxycytidine
Cytidine, 2',3'-dideoxy-
Dideoxycytidine
HIVID Roche
Hivid
Hoffman-La Roche Brand of Zalcitabine
NSC 606170
NSC-606170
NSC606170
Roche Brand of Zalcitabine
ddC (Antiviral)
A dideoxynucleoside compound in which the 3'-hydroxy group on the sugar moiety has been replaced by a hydrogen. This modification prevents the formation of phosphodiester linkages which are needed for the completion of nucleic acid chains. The compound is a potent inhibitor of HIV replication at low concentrations, acting as a chain-terminator of viral DNA by binding to reverse transcriptase. Its principal toxic side effect is axonal degeneration resulting in peripheral neuropathy.