Antiretroviral medications

Antiretroviral Medications

Antiretroviral medications are drugs used to treat infections caused by retroviruses, primarily Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). These medications are a cornerstone in the management of HIV/AIDS, helping to control the virus, improve quality of life, and reduce the risk of transmission.

Mechanism of Action

Antiretroviral medications work by interfering with the life cycle of HIV, preventing it from replicating and spreading in the body. There are several classes of antiretroviral drugs, each targeting different stages of the HIV life cycle:

• Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs): These drugs mimic the natural building blocks of DNA, causing premature termination of the DNA chain during viral replication.
• Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs): NNRTIs bind to and inhibit the reverse transcriptase enzyme, preventing the conversion of viral RNA into DNA.
• Protease Inhibitors (PIs): These inhibit the protease enzyme, which is crucial for the maturation of infectious viral particles.
• Integrase Inhibitors: These prevent the integration of viral DNA into the host cell genome.
• Entry Inhibitors: These block the virus from entering host cells by interfering with the fusion process.

Treatment Regimens

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) typically involves a combination of three or more antiretroviral drugs from at least two different classes. This approach, known as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), is designed to reduce the viral load to undetectable levels, thereby preserving immune function and preventing the progression to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Side Effects

While antiretroviral medications are effective in controlling HIV, they can have side effects, which vary depending on the specific drugs used. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and headache. Long-term use can lead to more serious effects such as liver toxicity, lipodystrophy, and metabolic changes.

Resistance

HIV can develop resistance to antiretroviral drugs, which is why adherence to prescribed regimens is crucial. Resistance testing is often performed to guide the selection of effective drug combinations.

History

The first antiretroviral drug, zidovudine (AZT), was approved in 1987. Since then, the development of new drugs and drug classes has significantly improved the prognosis for individuals living with HIV.

Also see

• HIV/AIDS
• Viral replication
• Immune system
• Drug resistance