Used in the treatment of HIV infection, this compound acts as a reverse transcriptase inhibitor, preventing the virus from replicating within human cells. It is a key component in antiretroviral therapy (ART), helping to reduce viral load and slow disease progression. By mimicking a natural building block of DNA, it gets incorporated into the viral DNA chain, causing premature termination and blocking further elongation. Its use has significantly improved the prognosis and quality of life for people living with HIV.