How Do HIV NRTIs Work?

HIV nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are a class of antiretroviral drugs mainly used to treat HIV infection.

Once the virus enters the CD4 cells or T cells of the immune system, it begins to replicate or make copies of itself. During viral replication, the step where the RNA of the virus gets converted into DNA is known as reverse transcription. Reverse transcriptase is an HIV enzyme that helps the virus to convert its RNA into DNA.

NRTIs prevent the reverse transcriptase enzyme from accurately replicating its RNA into DNA.

NRTIs are indicated with other HIV drugs to treat HIV infection.

HIV NRTIs can cause side effects; however, these side effects go away with time. Common side effects may include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Upset stomach
• Chills
• Dizziness
• Rash
• Indigestion
• Muscle ache
• Depression
• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Insomnia
• Some of the severe, rare side effects include:
• Severe rash
• Decreased bone density
• New or worsened kidney disease
• Fatty liver
• Lactic acidosis

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 NRTIs include:

• 3TC
• Abacavir
• D4T
• Didanosine
• Emtricitabine
• Emtriva
• Epivir
• Epivir HBV
• Lamivudine
• Retrovir
• Stavudine
• Tenofovir DF
• Videx
• Videx EC
• Viread
• ZDV (formerly AZT)
• Zerit
• Ziagen
• Zidovudine