Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors for HIV/AIDS

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors are a class of antiretroviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. They work by blocking reverse transcriptase enzymes essential for viral replication.
Category
Drug
Where to get
Available with a doctor's prescription at pharmacies.
Applicable for
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors FAQ


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What is a non nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor?

Non- nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are a type of antiviral medication used to treat HIV infection. They work by inhibiting the HIV 's reverse transcriptase enzyme, thus preventing the multiplication of the virus. Some NNRTIs such as efavirenz and delavirdine are teratogenic.

What is a reverse transcriptase inhibitor?

Parth H. Patel; Hassam Zulfiqar. Last Update: June 25, 2023. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors are medications used in the management and treatment of HIV. It is in the antiretroviral class of drugs. This activity reviews the indication, action, and contraindications for RTIs as a valuable agent in managing HIV (and other disorders when applicable).

What is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor based therapy for HIV infection?

This non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based therapy is often the preferred initial therapy of HIV infection, but there is high interpatient variability in its pharmacokinetics and clinical response at the usual therapeutic dose (600 mg/day oral dose).

What are the two classes of reverse transcriptase inhibitors?

Within the class of reverse transcriptase inhibitors are two subclasses of drugs. The first class is the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and the second class is the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

What are non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors?

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are the second class of reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The primary mechanism of action is through the binding of the NNRTI to the reverse transcriptase and the creation of a hydrophobic pocket proximal to the active site.

Are NNRTIs a competitive inhibitor of reverse transcriptase?

NNRTIs are not incorporated into the viral DNA like NRTIs, but instead inhibit the movement of protein domains of reverse transcriptase that are needed to carry out the process of DNA synthesis. NNRTIs are therefore classified as non-competitive inhibitors of reverse transcriptase. [citation needed]

Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors References

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