How Do HIV Integrase Inhibitors Work?

HIV integrase inhibitors are a class of antiretroviral drugs mainly indicated for the treatment of HIV infection.

Integrase is an enzyme used by HIV for replication. This enzyme binds with the viral DNA to form a complex structure to enter the host cell. Integrase also mediates the integration of the viral DNA to the host DNA, thereby helping the viral DNA replicate.

Integrase inhibitors block the integrase enzymes with metallic ions to prevent the integration of viral DNA to host DNA. Thus, it helps to prevent the replication of HIV, which is crucial for its survival.

HIV integrase inhibitors, when used in combination with other anti-HIV drugs, are effective against multidrug-resistant HIV infection.

HIV integrase inhibitors cause fewer side effects than other HIV drugs because they act on the virus itself and not on the host cells. Some of the most common side effects include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Dizziness

Some of the rare, severe side effects include:

• Skin allergies
• Liver toxicity
• Depression

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of HIV integrase inhibitors include:

• Bictegravir (available in combination and never alone. FDA has raised safety concerns about combination drugs as they cause hypersensitivity)
• Cabenuva
• Cabotegravir
• Cabotegravir/Rilpivirine
• Dolutegravir
• Dolutegravir/Rilpivirine
• Elvitegravir (available in combination and never alone. FDA has raised safety concerns about combination drugs as they cause hypersensitivity)
• Isentress
• Isentress HD
• Juluca
• Raltegravir
• Tivicay
• Tivicay PD
• Vitekta
• Vocabria