nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
Quick Summary
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are a class of drugs used to slow the progression of HIV infection and delay the development of AIDS. AZT, the first NRTI approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1987, works by inhibiting the enzyme reverse transcriptase. This enzyme is crucial for HIV replication, as it converts viral RNA into DNA. AZT incorporates into this viral DNA, halting its synthesis and preventing the virus from replicating. While effective, NRTIs can have side effects, including muscle tissue damage, anemia, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. HIV can also develop resistance to these drugs, leading to their use in combination therapy.12
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reverse transcriptaseReverse transcriptase: discovery and impactsNucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) such as AZT (zidovudine)—the first drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prolong the lives of AIDS patients—act by terminating the proviral DNA chain before the enzyme can finish transcription. NRTIs are often given in combination with…
Read MoreNucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) such as AZT (zidovudine)—the first drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prolong the lives of AIDS patients—act by terminating the proviral DNA chain before the enzyme can finish transcription. NRTIs are often given in combination with…
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AIDSAntiretroviral medicationsNucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors (e.g., abacavir [ABC], zidovudine [AZT], zalcitabine [ddC], didanosine [ddI], stavudine [d4T], and lamivudine [3TC]) and non-nucleoside RT inhibitors (e.g., efavirenz, delavirdine, and nevirapine) both inhibit the action of reverse transcriptase. Each drug has unique side effects, and, in addition, treatment…
Read MoreNucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors (e.g., abacavir [ABC], zidovudine [AZT], zalcitabine [ddC], didanosine [ddI], stavudine [d4T], and lamivudine [3TC]) and non-nucleoside RT inhibitors (e.g., efavirenz, delavirdine, and nevirapine) both inhibit the action of reverse transcriptase. Each drug has unique side effects, and, in addition, treatment…
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