Nukleosidianalogikäänteistranskriptaasiinhibiittorit

Nukleosidianalogikäänteistranskriptaasiinhibiittorit, often abbreviated as NRTIs, are a class of antiretroviral drugs used to treat viral infections, most notably HIV/AIDS. These drugs function by mimicking the natural building blocks of DNA, nucleosides, which are essential for viral replication. When a virus like HIV replicates its genetic material using an enzyme called reverse transcriptase, NRTIs are incorporated into the growing viral DNA chain. However, due to their altered chemical structure, they lack the necessary components to allow further elongation of the DNA strand. This premature termination effectively halts viral replication, preventing the virus from making copies of itself and contributing to the management of the infection. NRTIs are typically administered orally and are often used in combination therapy with other antiretroviral drugs to achieve a synergistic effect and reduce the development of drug resistance. While effective, NRTIs can have side effects, which vary depending on the specific drug within the class. Examples of commonly prescribed NRTIs include zidovudine, lamivudine, and tenofovir. Their development marked a significant advancement in the treatment of HIV, transforming a once-fatal disease into a manageable chronic condition for many individuals.