Principles of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) and Classes of Antiretroviral Drugs

Introduction to HAART and its Importance in HIV Treatment

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) represents a breakthrough in HIV management, significantly improving patient outcomes by suppressing viral replication and reducing disease progression.

Principles of HAART

• Combines multiple antiretroviral drugs to prevent viral resistance.
• Targets different stages of the HIV lifecycle to maximize efficacy.
• Requires adherence to treatment to ensure long-term viral suppression.

Classes of Antiretroviral Drugs

1. Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)

These drugs act as faulty building blocks, disrupting viral DNA synthesis.

2. Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)

Bind directly to the reverse transcriptase enzyme, inhibiting its function.

3. Protease Inhibitors (PIs)

Prevent viral maturation by blocking the protease enzyme.

4. Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTIs)

Inhibit the integration of viral DNA into the host genome.

5. Entry and Fusion Inhibitors

Block HIV from entering and infecting host cells.

Conclusion

HAART remains a cornerstone of HIV treatment, offering hope and improving life expectancy for millions of patients worldwide.