An Examination of Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Abstract

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, is the cause of AIDS, an immune syndrome that continues to have profound effects in the United States and around the world. There is currently no cure for AIDS, but there are several classes of medications that inhibit the reproduction of HIV, one of which are non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, or NNRTIs. This class of medications suppresses the enzyme reverse transcriptase, a HIV enzyme which converts viral RNA into human-compatible DNA. NNRTIs have become a cornerstone of the treatment of HIV, and continue to be used in treatment of patients along with a combination of other antiviral drugs. While there are several drawbacks to NNRTIs, they remain highly useful in patient care, and research continues in improving these medications and the lives of AIDS patients around the world.