fusion inhibitor
Quick Summary
A fusion inhibitor is a type of antiviral drug that works by preventing a virus from entering human cells. This mechanism is crucial because viruses are obligate parasites that must infect a host cell to replicate. Fusion inhibitors specifically target the process by which the virus fuses with the host cell membrane, thereby blocking the initial step of infection.
An example of a fusion inhibitor is enfuvirtide, which is used in the treatment of HIV. While effective, serious side effects can include allergic reactions and infections at the injection site. These drugs are part of a broader strategy to combat viral replication by interfering with different stages of the viral life cycle.12
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