Anti HIV drugs and Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy HAART
Start with the big picture
Antiretroviral classes act at distinct points in HIV replication. NRTIs are phosphorylated analogs that inhibit reverse transcriptase and cause chain termination, whereas NNRTIs inhibit the enzyme through a different mechanism and do not require phosphorylation. Protease inhibitors prevent polyprotein cleavage and viral maturation; integrase inhibitors block viral DNA integration. Entry is targeted by enfuvirtide, which blocks fusion, and maraviroc, a CCR5 antagonist. The lesson connects these mechanisms with notable class-specific concerns, including toxicity, interactions, and resistance. HAART is presented as a regimen using at least three active drugs from at least two classes, with a commonly described approach combining two NRTIs and an integrase inhibitor.
What you'll learn
- Distinguish the major anti-HIV drug classes by their targets in the viral life cycle.
- Explain how NRTIs and NNRTIs inhibit reverse transcriptase.
- Relate protease and integrase inhibition to their effects on viral replication.
- Identify selected adverse effects and clinical considerations across drug classes.
- Describe the defining combination principle of HAART.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
