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In Topic HIV, you learned that the retrovirus HIV convert their viral RNA into DNA by the process of reverse transcription. Reverse Transcription is performed by the viral enzyme reverse transcriptase. To terminate the DNA-chain of HIV, scientists developed a HIV DNA-chain terminator. These st drugs are further divided into three sections: Protease inhabitors, Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhabitors, and Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhabitors. Each section of contains different kinds of drugs.
Scientists developed a RT (reverse transcriptase, an important enzyme that helps the viral HIV
to convert their RNA into DNA molecules.) terminator known as AZT. Belong to the class
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase, AZT significantly slows down the reproduction of HIV by interfering
with RT. Without these enzyme, HIV cannot replicate, and therefore greatly reduces the number of
HIV. In fact, in combination with other drugs, AZT minimize the likelihood of passing HIV infection
from the mother to the baby. Evidence shown that nearly 85% of HIV patients prolonged life one year
after taken AZT pill.
DDI is a drug that becomes unstable in the presence of acid. It is also designated to
terminate RT. Like AZT, DDI slows down the reproduction of HIV by interfering with RT.
In combination with other drugs, DDI decreases the number of HIV, increase the number of
CD4 T-cells, minimize the likelihood of infecting HIV-related diseases, and prolongs life.
Crixivan belongs to the class protease inhabitors. It is designed to interfer with
protease, an important viral enzyme. Using Crixivan, the number of HIV reduces because
they are not able to replicate. It increases patients' CD4 T-cells, and prolongs their life.
Patients using Crixivan found it very useful and effective, and that why it's one of the most
common RT terminator you can find.