Protease Inhibitors

Protease Inhibitors (PIs), like the name says, inhibit protease. Almost every living cell has a form of protease, a digestive enzyme that breaks down protein.

The protease inhibitors are generally more powerful than the nucleosides and have received major public attention. The protease inhibitors may be difficult to tolerate because of side effects like gastrointestinal symptoms. As with other antiretroviral drugs, some long-term side effects are still not understood, this area is being investigated. PIs also lead to heart disease and diabetes in people who are already predisposed to these conditions.

PIs approved for use in the UK: