Antiretroviral (ARV) Drugs:

ARV drugs are medicines that suppress the activity or replication of the HIV retrovirus. Based upon what drugs are approved for use in the USA , there are 19 distinct ARV drugs currently used to combat the HIV virus. They are used in several different combinations depending on the individual's age and health status . The ARV drugs are classified as Protease Inhibitors, Nucleoside Analog Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors, Non Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors or Fusion Inhibitors based on how they function. The following paragraphs give a quick definition of these types of drugs.

Protease Inhibitors:

The HIV virus uses the enzyme protease during the final stages of its replication (reproduction) process. If the replication process is allowed to continue uninterrupted then the health of the HIV infected individual rapidly deteriorates. Protease inhibitors work by preventing the enzyme protease from breaking apart viral proteins. When this happens, the replication process is blocked and the body is protected from further damage, as long as the individual receiving the treatment responds to the therapy.

An enzyme is a substance that triggers chemical reactions in the body.

Nucleoside Analog (often called “nukes”) Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors:

The HIV virus uses the reverse transcriptase enzyme to change the HIV's RNA into DNA. If this change is allowed to happen then the HIV's genetic code combines with an infected cell's genetic code and the infected individual's health condition continues to deteriorate. When “nukes” are used to treat an HIV infected individual they are inserted into the DNA of the virus which disrupts further change of HIV's RNA into DNA. This results in an incomplete DNA that can no longer generate a new virus. The “nukes” are usually prescribed in combination with ARV drugs

Non-Nucleoside (often called “non-nukes”) Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors:

The HIV virus uses the reverse transcriptase enzyme to change the HIV's RNA into DNA. If this change is allowed to happen then the HIV's genetic code combines with an infected cell's genetic code and the infected individual's health condition continues to deteriorate. Unlike the “nukes” which work by disrupting the unfinished DNA chain that the enzyme is building, the “non-nukes” physically prevents the enzyme from functioning. Further multiplication of the HIV virus cannot happen once the enzyme is blocked. Unfortunately, HIV virus has the ability to mutate rapidly creating new strains of the deadly virus that are turning out to be resistant to “non-nukes”.

Fusion Inhibitors:

The HIV virus inserts a glycoprotein into the CD4 cell wall, and that protein then brings the HIV directly into contact with the CD4 cell. Fusion inhibitors work by attaching themselves to a specific part of the glycoprotein which HIV has inserted into a CD4 cell wall When this attachment occurs the glycoprotein can no longer zip itself together. As a result, the process of HIV fusion with the CD4 cell is blocked. Once this process is stopped, as long as fusion inhibitor remains effective, HIV virus cannot progress in the body. Fusion inhibitors are usually prescribed to individuals who are dealing with strains of HIV virus that are resistant to the treatment options presented above.

Names of current ARV Drugs listed by Class:

Disclaimer:

The information on this website should not be considered complete, nor should it be considered medical advice. It should not be used in place of a consultation with a physician or other health care provider. Please do not take any medication based upon what you have read here. It is unadvisable to begin a treatment plan without consulting a physician or other health care provider. 

Related Links:

Managing HIV : Bristol -Myers Squibb Company
Treat HIV: GlaxoSmithKline
Details on Protease Inhibitors http://www.thebody.com/nmai/Protease.html