Pharmacokinetic evaluation of 3'-azido-2', 3'-dideoxyuridine-5'-O-valinate-hydrochloride as a prodrug of the anti-HIV nucleoside 3'-azido-2', 3'-dideoxyuridine.

3'-Azido-2', 3'-dideoxyuridine (AZDU, AzddU, CS-87) has been shown to have potent anti-HIV activity in vitro. However, the compound exhibits a relatively short half-life and incomplete oral bioavailability in humans. In an effort to improve the pharmacokinetic properties of AZDU, prodrug 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyuridine-5'-O-valinate hydrochloride (AZDU-VAL) was synthesized by the esterification of 5'-OH function in AZDU.