200 Years of LGBTQIA+ History

From Shadows to Pride — UK & Global Timeline

19 March 1987

AZT Approved as First Antiretroviral Drug for HIV/AIDS

Health

The US FDA approved zidovudine (AZT) for use against HIV/AIDS, making it the first antiretroviral drug available. The approval came just 25 months after AZT was first shown to be active against HIV — a record-breaking timeline. While a crucial breakthrough demonstrating HIV could be treated, AZT had significant side effects and limited efficacy when used alone, and was at the time the most expensive drug in history.

Impact & Significance

Proved that antiretroviral treatment was possible, opening the door to the combination therapies that would eventually transform HIV from a death sentence into a manageable condition.

Reference Record

Date
19 March 1987
Era
1970-1989
Sources
1

This timeline entry is being migrated into the reference platform. Source metadata and editorial review status will be strengthened as each topic is upgraded.

Topic Guides

HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ Activism HIV/AIDS shaped LGBTQ+ history through loss, stigma, public health campaigning, community organising, treatment activism, and major advances in prevention and care. HIV/AIDS Public Health and Memory The HIV/AIDS crisis reshaped public health through surveillance, treatment activism, drug approval, memorial culture and global awareness days.

Questions This Event Helps Answer

Q How did HIV/AIDS shape LGBTQ+ history? HIV/AIDS shaped LGBTQ+ history through bereavement, stigma, public health campaigning, community care, treatment activism, and major medical advances. Q How did HIV/AIDS change public health and activism? HIV/AIDS changed public health by forcing faster surveillance, treatment approval, community-led prevention, visible memorialisation and international awareness.

Related Events

1981 First Official Report of AIDS in the United States 1990 Ryan White CARE Act Signed into Law 1991 Red Ribbon Launched as AIDS Awareness Symbol 1996 Combination Therapy Transforms HIV Treatment

Sources

The History of FDA's Role in Preventing the Spread of HIV/AIDS government U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Share