Pharmacology

The use of a drug for a specific disorder or condition that is not officially approved by the FDA. The drug may be prescribed by the primary health care provider for the condition under investigation.

Drugs that combat viral infections. They interfer with the virus's ability to reproduce in a cell. They should be used cautiously in patients with renal impairment, low blood cell counts, history of epilepsy (rimantadine), and history of respiratory disease (zanamivir).

Retroviruses attack the host cell just like a virus; the difference is that RNA is the primary component of the virus instead of DNA. Retroviruses also contain an enzyme called reverse transcriptase that is used to turn the RNA of the virus into DNA, helping to reproduce more of the virus.

To control HIV effectively, a number of drugs are used that work at different protions of the life cycle of the virus.

Block the protease enzyme so the new viral particles cannot mature.

Block the reverse transcriptase enzyme so the HIV material cannot change into DNA in the new cell.

Prevent the attachment or fusion of HIV to a cell such as CCR5 inhibitors.

Prevent enzymes from integrating HIV genetic material into the cell's DNA.