Which class of antiviral medications is used to treat HIV?

Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) are a crucial class of antiviral medications used in the treatment of HIV. These drugs work by mimicking the natural building blocks of DNA, leading to termination of the viral DNA chain during replication. By inhibiting the reverse transcriptase enzyme, which is essential for converting viral RNA into DNA, NRTIs prevent HIV from multiplying and spreading within the body.

The effectiveness of NRTIs makes them a cornerstone of antiretroviral therapy, often used in combination with other classes of HIV medications to build a more robust treatment regimen. This multi-drug approach helps reduce viral load, improve immune function, and lower the risk of drug resistance.

Other classes of antiviral medications, such as Protease Inhibitors, Integrase Inhibitors, and Fusion Inhibitors, also play significant roles in the management of HIV infection but operate through different mechanisms. Protease Inhibitors block the action of the protease enzyme required for viral maturation, Integrase Inhibitors prevent the integration of viral DNA into the host cell's genome, and Fusion Inhibitors prevent the virus from entering the host cell. Each of these classes contributes to the overall strategy of controlling HIV, but NRT