HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that attacks and weakens the body's immune system, making it more susceptible to infections and certain cancers. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), which is the final and most severe stage of HIV infection.
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are a class of antiretroviral drugs that inhibit the reverse transcriptase enzyme, crucial for the replication of retroviruses like HIV. By mimicking natural nucleosides, NRTIs are incorporated into viral DNA, causing chain termination and preventing the virus from multiplying effectively.
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are a class of antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV by binding directly to the reverse transcriptase enzyme, thereby blocking its activity and preventing viral replication. Unlike nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, NNRTIs do not require phosphorylation to be active and often have a different resistance profile, making them valuable in combination therapy.