Protease Inhibitors

Overview :

Protease inhibitors are considered one of the most potent medications for HIV developed so far.

This class of drugs includes indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir), nelfinavir (Viracept), amprenavir (Agenerase), lopinavir plus ritonavir (Kaletra), saquinavir (Fortovase), and a new drug called atazanavir (Reyataz). Reyataz received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in mid-2003 and was the first protease inhibitor approved for once-daily dosing. Several weeks or months of drug therapy may be required before the full benefits are apparent.

The drug should be taken at the same time each day. Some types should be taken with a meal to help the body absorb them. Each of the types of protease inhibitor may have to be taken in a different way. In most cases, protease inhibitors are part of a combination therapy, used in conjunction with other classes of HIV drugs.