- Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors ("Nukes")
- Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
- Protease Inhibitors
- Integrase Inhibitors
- Attachment and Fusion Inhibitors
- Antisense Drugs
- Immune Modulators
None of these drugs can kill the HIV virus, but each class slows down the multiplication of the virus (replication) in a particular way.
1. Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors ("Nukes")
The first anti-HIV drugs. They block reverse transcription (the creation of viral DNA from RNA) by providing "decoy" building blocks that interrupt the process. Most are nucleoside analogs; tenofovir is a nucleotide analog.
Year Approved* |
Generic Name |
Trade Name |
Also Known As: |
Manufacturer |
| 1987 |
Zidovudine |
Retrovir |
AZT, ZDV |
GlaxoSmithKline |
| 1991 |
Didanosine |
Videx |
ddI |
Bristol-Myers Squibb, Barr Laboratories (generic) |
| 1992 |
Zalcitabine |
Hivid |
ddC, dideoxycytidine |
Roche: Manufacture discontinued in 2006 |
| 1994 |
Stavudine |
Zerit |
d4T |
Bristol-Myers Squibb |
| 1995 |
Lamivudine |
Epivir |
3TC |
GlaxoSmithKline |
| 1997 |
Zidovudine/ lamivudine |
Combivir |
Combines AZT and 3TC |
GlaxoSmithKline |
| 1998 |
Abacavir |
Ziagen |
ABC |
GlaxoSmithKline |
| 2000 |
Zidovudine/
lamivudine/
abacavir |
Trizivir |
Combines AZT, 3TC, abacavir |
GlaxoSmithKline |
| 2001 |
Tenofovir |
Viread |
TDF |
Gilead Sciences |
| 2003 |
Emtricitabine |
Emtriva |
FTC |
Gilead Sciences |
| 2004 |
Abacavir/lamivudine |
Epzicom |
Combines Ziagen and 3TC |
GlaxoSmithKline |
| 2004 |
Emtricitabine/tenofovir |
Truvada |
Combines Emtriva and Viread |
Gilead Sciences |
| Other nukes in human trials: Elvucitabine (ACH-126,443, beta-L-Fd4C) by Achillion Pharmaceuticals, MIV-210 (FLG) by GlaxoSmithKline and Medivir, and Racivir by Pharmasset Inc. and SPD754 by Shire Pharmaceuticals. |
2. Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
These also interrupt reverse transcription, by binding to the reverse transcriptase enzyme and restricting its activity.
Year Approved* |
Generic Name |
Trade Name |
Also Known As: |
Manufacturer |
| 1996 |
Nevirapine |
Viramune |
NVP |
Boehringer Ingelheim |
| 1997 |
Delavirdine |
Rescriptor |
DLV |
Pfizer/Agouron |
| 1998 |
Efavirenz |
Sustiva,Stocrin |
EFV |
Bristol-Myers Squibb |
| 2008 |
Etravirine |
Intelence |
ETR |
Tibotec |
| Other NNRTIs in human trials: +/-Calanolide A by Sarawak MediChem Pharmaceuticals, GW5634 by GlaxoSmithKline, MIV-150 by Medivir, and Etravirine (TMC125) and TMC128 by Tibotec. |
2a. Combination Medication
Includes a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
Year Approved* |
Generic Name |
Trade Name |
Also Known As: |
Manufacturer |
| 2006 |
Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir |
Atripla®™ |
Combines Sustiva, Emtriva and Viread |
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Gilead |
3. Protease Inhibitors
Block the action of protease, an enzyme that cuts HIV protein chains into specific proteins needed to assemble a new copy of the virus. NOTE: when you see "/r" after the name of a protease inhibitor, that means it is boosted with a small dose of ritonavir. For example, SQV/r means saquinavir boosted with ritonavir.
Year Approved* |
Generic Name |
Trade Name |
Also Known As: |
Manufacturer |
| 1995 |
Saquinavir |
Invirase |
SQV |
Roche |
| 1996 |
Ritonavir |
Norvir |
RTV |
Abbott |
| 1996 |
Indinavir |
Crixivan |
IDV |
Merck |
| 1997 |
Nelfinavir |
Viracept |
NFV |
Pfizer/Agouron |
| 1997 |
Saquinavir |
Fortovase; Manufacture discontinued in 2006 |
Roche |
| 1999 |
Amprenavir |
Agenerase; Manufacture discontinued in 2007 |
GlaxoSmithKline |
| 2000 |
Lopinavir |
Kaletra, Aluvia |
LPV |
Abbott |
| 2003 |
Atazanavir |
Reyataz®™ |
ATV |
Bristol-Myers Squibb |
| 2003 |
Fosamprenavir |
Lexiva®™, Telzir |
FPV |
GlaxoSmithKline |
| 2005 |
Tipranavir |
Aptivus |
TPV |
Boehringer Ingelheim |
| 2006 |
Darunavir |
Prezista |
DRV |
Tibotec |
| Other PIs in human trials: GW640385 by GlaxoSmithKline, RO033-4649 by Roche. |
4. Integrase Inhibitors
Block the action of integrase, an enzyme that inserts the viral DNA into the infected cell's DNA strands. Raltegravir (Isentress, MK-0518) by Merck was approved in 2007. No integrase inhibitors have been approved yet. Elvitegravir (Gilead 9137, JTK-303) has completed a Phase II study. GSK364735 by GlaxoSmithKline and Shionogi is in a Phase II study.
Year Approved* |
Generic Name |
Trade Name |
Also Known As: |
Manufacturer |
| 2007 |
Raltegravir |
Isentress |
RGV |
Merck |
| Other integrase inhibitors in human trials: Elvitegravir (Gilead 9137, JTK-303) completed a Phase II study. GSK364735 by GlaxoSmithKline is in a Phase II study. |
5. Attachment and Fusion Inhibitors
Prevent HIV from attaching to a cell.
Year Approved* |
Generic Name |
Trade Name |
Also Known As: |
Manufacturer |
| 2003 |
Enfuvirtide |
Fuzeon |
T-20 |
Trimeris/Roche |
| 2007 |
Maraviroc |
Selzentry, Celsentri |
MVC |
Pfizer |
| Other fusion and attachment inhibitors in human trials include: AMD070 by AnorMED, BMS-378806 by Bristol-Myers Squibb, INCB9471 by Incyte, PRO 140 by Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Vicriviroc (SCH-D) by Schering, TAK-220 by Takeda and TNX-355 by Tanox. |
6. Antisense Drugs
These are a "mirror image" of part of the HIV genetic code that locks onto the virus to prevent it from functioning. One antisense drug, HGTV43 by Enzo Therapeutics, is in Phase I trials.
7. Immune Modulators
Use the body's chemical messengers to stimulate the immune response. Over a dozen immune modulators are being studied in humans. See Fact Sheet 480 for more information.
*Year of approval in the U.S.A.
.