Fuzeon: A Review of the First Entry Inhibitor

This material was developed independently through an unrestricted educational grant from Trimeris.

Fuzeon (T-20, enfuvirtide) is the first in a new class of anti-HIV meds called fusion inhibitors (also known as entry inhibitors). Fusion inhibitors fight HIV in a completely different way than existing anti-HIV drugs.

What makes fusion inhibitors different is that they work on the outside of CD4 cells to prevent HIV from entering (infecting) healthy CD4 cells. Other anti-HIV drugs work inside CD4 cells -- after HIV has already entered the cell and begun to make copies of itself (replicate).

Fuzeon is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) twice every day. It must be used in combination with other anti-HIV meds. A combination including Fuzeon can reduce the amount of HIV in the blood and increase CD4 cells.

On the following pages Calvin Cohen, M.D., M.S., provides an excellent overview of Fuzeon: what it is, how it works and who may benefit from using it. Browse through this article.

Next: Introduction: Why Do We Need a New Class of HIV Medications?

• Introduction: Why Do We Need a New Class of HIV Medications?
• Entry Inhibitors: A New Class of HIV Medications
• How Does Fuzeon Work?
• What We Know About Fuzeon
• Who Most Benefits From Fuzeon
• Fuzeon's Side Effects
• Conclusion: Fuzeon's Role in Treatment
• Ten Tips on Injecting Fuzeon
• Learn More About Fuzeon
• Glossary