antiretrovirusta

Antiretroviral drugs are a class of medications used to treat infections caused by retroviruses, most notably the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These drugs work by interfering with the retroviral replication cycle at various stages. Retroviruses, like HIV, have a unique life cycle that involves reverse transcription, where their RNA genome is converted into DNA, which is then integrated into the host cell's DNA. Antiretroviral drugs target specific enzymes and processes crucial for this cycle to occur.

There are several classes of antiretroviral drugs, each targeting a different step in the HIV replication process. These include nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), protease inhibitors (PIs), integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), and entry inhibitors. By combining drugs from different classes, a highly effective treatment regimen known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), or combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), can be achieved. This combination approach is highly effective at suppressing viral replication, preventing the development of drug resistance, and improving the health and longevity of individuals living with HIV. Antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV from a fatal illness into a manageable chronic condition.