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reverse transcriptase inhibitor

drug
Also known as: RT inhibitor, RTI

Quick Summary

A reverse transcriptase inhibitor is a type of antiviral drug used to treat infections caused by viruses like HIV. These drugs work by blocking the action of an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. HIV uses this enzyme to convert its RNA into DNA, a crucial step for its replication within host cells. By inhibiting reverse transcriptase, these drugs prevent the virus from making copies of itself.

AZT, a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), was the first such drug approved to slow the progression of HIV infection and delay the development of AIDS. While effective, HIV can develop resistance, so these inhibitors are often used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs, such as protease inhibitors, to enhance treatment efficacy and combat drug resistance.

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