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Protease Inhibitors
Protease inhibitors are a newer class of antiretroviral drugs. They interrupt virus replication at a later step in the HIV life cycle. HIV can still divide to make copies of itself, but the new viral particles are unable to infect additional CD4 cells. Protease inhibitors can reduce the amount of virus in the blood and increase CD4 cell counts, helping to preserve or even restore immune system function. The chance of getting opportunistic infections is less, too.
Most of the protease inhibitors interact with other medications, so they require careful monitoring to avoid serious complications. A unique adverse effect of the protease inhibitors is called lipodystrophy?the redistribution of body fat from the face, arms, and legs to the stomach, breasts, and upper back. Although it is not dangerous, lipodystrophy can be annoying or embarrassing enough to make some HIV/AIDS patients stop taking protease inhibitors. Another complication of these drugs is extremely high cholesterol that occurs in some patients and can lead to serious health complications, including heart disease. Researchers are not sure why this occurs but some evidence points to genetics. Future research may include testing to determine which patients would be at increased risk for developing this complication.
Drugs in the class
Fosamprenavir Oral Suspension (Lexiva Oral Suspension)
Darunavir Tablets (Prezista)
Indinavir (Crixivan)
Ritonavir Oral Solution (Norvir Oral Solution)
Lopinavir and Ritonavir Capsules (Kaletra Capsules)
Nelfinavir (Viracept)
Saquinavir Capsules (Invirase Capsules)
Atazanavir (Reyataz)
Amprenavir Oral Solution (Agenerase Oral Solution)
Tipranavir Capsules (Aptivus)
Ritonavir Capsules (Norvir Capsules)
Amprenavir Capsules (Agenerase) | 
