Nelfinavir - Uses and Side Effects

Nelfinavir is a protease inhibitor medication that is used in the management of HIV infection.
Category
Drug
Where to get
Prescription medication available at pharmacies.
Applicable for
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Nelfinavir FAQ


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What is nelfinavir used for?

Nelfinavir is an orally bioavailable human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1 protease inhibitor (K i = 2 nM) and is widely prescribed in combination with HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors for the treatment of HIV infection. It was patented in 1992 and approved for medical use in 1997.

What is Nelfinavir (Viracept)?

Nelfinavir (Viracept) is a drug prescribed to be used in combination with other anti-HIV drugs to treat HIV infection. Side effects, drug interactions, dosage, and pregnancy safety should be reviewed prior to taking this medication. Acronym for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

Is Nelfinavir a cure for HIV?

Nelfinavir belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors.Nelfinavir is not a cure for HIV infection. To decrease your risk of spreading HIV disease to others, continue to take all HIV medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Is Nelfinavir a protease inhibitor?

Nelfinavir is a protease inhibitor: it inhibits HIV-1 and HIV-2 proteases. HIV protease is an aspartate protease which splits viral protein molecules into smaller fragments, and it is vital to both the replication of the virus within the cell, and also to the release of mature viral particles from an infected cell.

Nelfinavir References

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