Principles of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) and Classes of Antiretroviral Drugs
Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs)
Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are a key class of antiretroviral drugs used in HAART. They inhibit the HIV integrase enzyme, preventing viral DNA integration and reducing viral load.
Principles of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) and Classes of Antiretroviral Drugs
Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTIs)
Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTIs) are a crucial class of antiretroviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. These medications function by inhibiting the HIV integrase enzyme, which is responsible for integrating viral DNA into the host genome.
Mechanism of Action
INSTIs block the strand transfer step of viral DNA integration, preventing HIV replication and reducing viral load.
Common INSTIs
- Raltegravir (RAL)
- Elvitegravir (EVG)
- Dolutegravir (DTG)
- Bictegravir (BIC)
Advantages of INSTIs
- High barrier to resistance
- Rapid reduction in viral load
- Generally well-tolerated with fewer side effects
Side Effects
Common side effects include nausea, headache, and insomnia. Rare but serious effects may include hypersensitivity reactions and liver toxicity.
Conclusion
INSTIs have revolutionized HIV treatment by providing effective viral suppression with minimal adverse effects. Their inclusion in HAART regimens has significantly improved patient outcomes and quality of life.
Tags
Recommended Reads
Explore related articles that might interest you
Principles of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) and Classes of Antiretroviral Drugs
Principles of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)
Principles of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)
Principles of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART): Principles, Drug Classes, Adverse Effects, and Drug Interactions
Principles of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) and Classes of Antiretroviral Drugs
