Synergistic enhancer (antiretroviral)

Synergistic enhancer is a type of antiretroviral drug that is used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. These drugs work by enhancing the effectiveness of other antiretroviral drugs, thereby increasing their potency against the HIV virus.

Mechanism of Action

Synergistic enhancers work by increasing the concentration of other antiretroviral drugs in the body. They do this by inhibiting the enzymes that are responsible for the metabolism of these drugs. This results in an increased concentration of the antiretroviral drug in the body, which in turn increases its effectiveness against the HIV virus.

Examples

One of the most common examples of a synergistic enhancer is Ritonavir. Ritonavir is a protease inhibitor that is often used in combination with other protease inhibitors. It works by inhibiting the enzyme CYP3A4, which is responsible for the metabolism of many antiretroviral drugs. By inhibiting this enzyme, Ritonavir increases the concentration of these drugs in the body, thereby enhancing their effectiveness.

Clinical Use

Synergistic enhancers are often used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. They are particularly useful in cases where the HIV virus has developed resistance to other antiretroviral drugs. By increasing the concentration of these drugs in the body, synergistic enhancers can help to overcome this resistance and improve the effectiveness of the treatment.

Side Effects

Like all drugs, synergistic enhancers can have side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and changes in liver function. However, these side effects are generally manageable and are often outweighed by the benefits of the treatment.

See Also

• Antiretroviral therapy
• HIV/AIDS
• Protease inhibitor
• Ritonavir