Used primarily in medical research to study the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of zidovudine, an antiretroviral medication. It serves as a key metabolite in understanding how the body processes and eliminates the drug, aiding in the development of more effective HIV treatment strategies. Additionally, it is utilized in analytical laboratories as a reference standard for quantifying zidovudine and its metabolites in biological samples, ensuring accurate monitoring of drug levels in patients undergoing therapy.