There are several classes of HIV medications:
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)
NNRTIs stop HIV production by binding directly onto reverse transcriptase and preventing the conversion of RNA to DNA. These drugs are called “non-nucleoside” inhibitors because even though they work on reverse transcriptase as nucleoside analogues do, they act in a completely different way.
Nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NRTIs)
Nucleoside analogues act by incorporating themselves into the DNA of the virus, thereby stopping the building process. The resulting DNA is incomplete and cannot create new virus. Nucleotides work in the same way as nucleosides, but require fewer modifications to work.
Protease inhibitors (PIs)
Protease inhibitors work at the last stage of the viral reproduction cycle. They prevent HIV from being successfully assembled and released from the infected CD4+ cell.
Entry inhibitors
Entry inhibitors work by preventing HIV from entering healthy CD4+ cells. They act by blocking specific proteins on the surface of either HIV or the CD4+ cell that are required for the virus to gain entry into the cell.
Integrase inhibitors
Integrase inhibitors, the newest class of antiretroviral agents, work within the cell nucleus. These agents block viral DNA from incorporating into the host cell DNA, thereby preventing viral replication.
Please consult Full Prescribing Information, including boxed WARNING, Medication Guide, and Important Safety Information for VIRAMUNE.
