| Nucleoside Analog Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors |
The NRTIs disrupt the replication of the HIV viruses by acting as fake nucloetides, which the reverse transcriptase enzyme uses to changes the HIV's RNA into DNA. Because the reverse transcriptase enzyme can not produce the correct DNA with the fake nucleotides, the infected cell fail to produce new HIV viruses.
| Nucleoside Analogs (Nukes) approved by FDA |
| 3TC(Epivir) |
3TC is an antiviral drug for people with HIV infection. When taken with other antiviral drugs, it can reduce one's viral load to extremely low levels, and increase one's T-cell counts. 3TC appears to be able to reduce resistance to AZT so that after people develop resistance to AZT and then take 3TC, AZT works better for them. People who have had kidney problems should lower the does of 3TC.
Possible Side Effects:
| Abacavir (Ziagen) |
An antiviral drug for people with HIV infection. When taken with other antiviral drugs, it can reduce one's viral load to extremely low levels, and increase one's T-cell counts. Abacavir seems to get into the central nervous system and help prevent mental problems such as dementia.
Possible Side Effects:
| AZT(Retrovir) |
AZT was the first drug to be approved for the treatment of HIV, has been studied more than any other drug, and is prescribed the most often. It reduces the chance of transmission of HIV from the mother to her child nearly by 66 percent. It is given to HIV-positive pregnant women from the 4th month of pregnancy until their baby is born, and to the newborn baby for 6 weeks. AZT is more effective if taken with other antiviral drugs as Combivir and Trizivir. Combivir contains AZT and 3TC. Trizivir contains AZT, 3TC, and abacavir.
Possible Side Effects:
| ddC (Hivid) |
An antiviral drug for people with HIV infection. When taken with other antiviral drugs, it can reduce one's viral load to extremely low levels, and increase one's T-cell counts.
Possible Side Effects:
| Emtricitabine (Emtriva, FTC) |
An antiviral drug for people with HIV infection. When taken with other antiviral drugs, it can reduce one's viral load to extremely low levels, and increase one's T-cell counts. Emtricitabine was approved for use by people 18 years old or older,but has not yet been approved for use in younger people. Emtricitabine has not been approved for people with HIV who are also infected with hepatitis B. Some people with HIV had their hepatitis B get worse after they stopped taking emtricitabine. People who have HIV that is resistant to the drug 3TC (Epivir) will almost certainly be resistant to emtricitabine as well. People with kidney problems should lower the dose.
Possible Side Effects:
| Tenofovir DF (Viread) |
An antiviral drug for people with HIV infection. When taken with other antiviral drugs, it can reduce one's viral load to extremely low levels, and increase one's T-cell counts. Tenofovir may also help control Hepatitis B. It also works against several strains of HIV that are already resistant to AZT, ddC, or ddI.
Possible Side Effects:
