What is raltegravir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Raltegravir (Isentress) is an antiretroviral medicine approved for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Raltegravir is an integrase inhibitor similar to elvitegravir (Vitekta) and dolutegravir (Tivicay). Raltegravir slows the spread of HIV infection by blocking the HIV integrase enzyme required for virus …
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What is efavirenz, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Efavirenz is an oral medication that is used for the treatment of infections associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Efavirenz is in a class of drugs called reverse transcriptase inhibitors, which also includes zalcitabine (Hivid), zidovudine (Retrovir), didanosine (Videx), and lamivudine (Epivir). It is in a subclass of …
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What is nevirapine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Nevirapine is an oral medication that is used for the treatment of infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is in a class of drugs called reverse transcriptase inhibitors that also includes zalcitabine (Hivid), zidovudine (Retrovir), didanosine (Videx), and lamivudine (Epivir). It is in a subclass of protease …
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What is didanosine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Didanosine is an oral medication that is used for the treatment of infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is in a class of drugs called reverse transcriptase inhibitors which also includes zalcitabine (Hivid), zidovudine (Retrovir), stavudine (Zerit), and lamivudine (Epivir). During infection with HIV, the HIV virus …
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What is indinavir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Indinavir is an oral medication that is used for treating infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is in a class of drugs called protease inhibitors which also includes ritonavir (Norvir), nelfinavir (Viracept) and saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase). During infection with HIV, the HIV virus multiplies within the body's …
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What is abacavir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Abacavir is an oral medication that is used for the treatment of infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is in a class of drugs called reverse transcriptase inhibitors which also includes zalcitabine (Hivid), zidovudine (Retrovir), didanosine (Videx), lamivudine (Epivir), emtricitabine (Emtriva), and stavudine (Zerit). During infection with …
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What is atazanavir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Atazanavir is an oral medication that is used for treating infections caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is in a class of drugs called protease inhibitors that also includes ritonavir (Norvir), nelfinavir (Viracept), indinavir (Crixivan) and saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase). During infection with HIV, the HIV virus multiplies …
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What is ritonavir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Ritonavir is an oral medication that is used for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It is in a class of drugs called protease inhibitors which also includes indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), emtricitabine (Emtriva) and saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase). During infection with HIV, the HIV virus multiplies within the body's …
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HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) testing facts Every adult can benefit from undergoing HIV testing at least once. HIV testing is done to diagnose those who are newly infected, to identify previously unrecognized infections, and to relieve the minds of those who are not infected. New sexual partners should consider getting an HIV test before sex to inform themselves of how …
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What is enfuvirtide (Fuzeon), and what is it used for? Fuzeon in combination with other antiretroviral agents is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced patients with evidence of HIV-1 replication despite ongoing antiretroviral therapy. This indication is based on results from two controlled studies of 48 weeks duration. Subjects enrolled were treatment-experienced adults; many had advanced disease. …
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