REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE INHIBITORS (NUKES)
NON-NUCLEOSIDE REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE INHIBITORS (NNRTIs)
PROTEASE INHIBITORS
INTEGRASE INHIBITORS
ATTACHMENT AND FUSION INHIBITORS
ANTISENSE DRUGS
IMMUNE STIMULATORS
None of these drugs can kill the HIV virus, but each class slows down the multiplication of the virus (replication) in a particular way.
Combination medications: Some manufacturers have combined more than one drug into a single tablet or capsule. Combinations within a single class are listed below. Combinations of more than one type of medication are discussed in Fact Sheet 409.
1. REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE INHIBITORS (NUKES)
The first anti-HIV drugs. They block reverse transcription (the creation of viral DNA from RNA) by providing "decoy" building blocks that interrupt the process. Most are nucleoside analogs; tenofovir is a nucleotide analog.
| 1987 | Zidovudine | Retrovir | AZT, ZDV | ViiV Healthcare & generic |
| 1991 | Didanosine | Videx | ddI | Bristol-Myers Squibb & generic |
| 1992 | Zalcitabine | Hivid, ddC, dideoxycytidine by Roche | Manufacture discontinued in 2006 | |
| 1994 | Stavudine | Zerit | d4T | Bristol-Myers Squibb & generic |
| 1995 | Lamivudine | Epivir | 3TC | ViiV Healthcare & generic |
| 1997 | Zidovudine/Lamivudine | Combivir | Combines AZT and 3TC | ViiV Healthcare & generic |
| 1998 | Abacavir | Ziagen | ABC | ViiV Healthcare & generic |
| 2000 | Zidovudine/Lamivudine/abacavir | Trizivir | Combines AZT, 3TC, Abacavir | ViiV Healthcare |
| 2001 | Tenofovir | Viread | TDF | Gilead Sciences & generic |
| 2003 | Emtricitabine | Emtriva | FTC | Gilead Sciences |
| 2004 | Abacavir/lamivudine | Epzicom | Combines Ziagen and 3TC (Epivir) | ViiV Healthcare & generic |
| 2004 | Tenofovir/emtricitabine | Truvada | Combines Viread and Emtriva | Gilead Sciences & generic |
| Fact Sheet 410 has information on other nukes in human trials. | ||||
2. NON-NUCLEOSIDE REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE INHIBITORS (NNRTIs or NON-NUKES)
These also interrupt reverse transcription, by binding to the reverse transcriptase enzyme and restricting its activity.
| 1996 | Nevirapine | Viramune | NVP | Boehringer Ingelheim & generic |
| 1997 | Delavirdine | Rescriptor | DLV | ViiV Healthcare |
| 1998 | Efavirenz | Sustiva, Stocrin | EFV | Bristol-Myers Squibb & generic |
| 2008 | Etravirine | Intelence | ETR | Tibotec |
| Fact Sheet 430 has more information on other NNRTI's in human trials. | ||||
Block the action of protease, an enzyme that cuts HIV protein chains into specific proteins needed to assemble a new copy of the virus. NOTE: when you see “/r” after the name of a protease inhibitor, that means it is boosted with a small dose of ritonavir. For example, SQV/r means saquinavir boosted with ritonavir. At present, only lopinavir and ritonavir are available in a single pill.
| 1995 | Saquinavir | Invirase | SQV | Roche |
| 1996 | Ritonavir | Norvir | RTV | Abbott |
| 1996 | Indinavir | Crixivan | IDV | Merck |
| 1997 | Nelfinavir | Viracept | NFV | ViiV Healthcare |
| 1997 | Saquinavir | Fortovase by Roche, manufacture discontinued in 2006 | ||
| 1999 | Amprenavir | Agenerase Manufacture discontinued in 2007 | ViiV Healthcare | |
| 2000 | Lopinavir | Kaletra, Aluvia | LPV | Abbott& generic |
| 2003 | Atazanavir | Reyataz | ATV | Bristol-Myers Squibb |
| 2003 | Fosamprenavir | Lexiva, Telzir | FPV | ViiV Healthcare |
| 2005 | Tipranavir | Aptivus | TPV | Boehringer Ingelheim |
| 2006 | Darunavir | Prezista | DRV | Tibotec |
| Fact Sheet 440 has information on other PIs in human trials. | ||||
Integrase inhibitors: Block the action of integrase, an enzyme that inserts the viral DNA into the infected cell’s DNA strands.
| Year* | Generic Name | Trade Name | Also known as: | Manufacturer |
| 2007 | Raltegravir | Isentress | RGV | Merck |
| Fact Sheet 470 has information on other integrase inhibitors in human trials. | ||||
5. ATTACHMENT AND FUSION INHIBITORS
Attachment and Fusion Inhibitors: Block the action of integrase, an enzyme that inserts the viral DNA into the infected cell’s DNA strands.
| 2003 | Enfuvirtide | Fuzeon | T-20 | Trimeris and Roche |
| 2007 | Maraviroc | Selzentry, Celsentri | MVC | ViiV Healthcare |
| Fact Sheet 460 has information on other fusion and attachment inhibitors in human trials. | ||||
These are a "mirror image" of part of the HIV genetic code that locks onto the virus to prevent it from functioning. Fact Sheet 470 has information on antisense drugs in development.
Use the body's chemical messengers to stimulate the immune response. Over a dozen immune modulators are being studied in humans. See Fact Sheet 480 for more information.
*Year of approval in the USA. Many generic versions have been approved under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). See http://www.fda.gov/oia/pepfar.htm for more information.