NON-NUCLEOSIDE REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE INHIBITORS (NNRTI)

A group of structurally diverse compounds that bind to the catalytic site of HIV-1's reverse transcriptase<!-- (see) -->. They are quite specific; unlike the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors<!-- (see) -->, the NNRTIs have no activity against HIV-2<!-- (see) -->. As noncompetitive inhibitors of reverse transcriptase, their antiviral activity is additive or synergistic with most other antiretroviral agents<!-- (see) -->. However drug-drug interactions<!-- (see) --> may dictate dosage adjustments with protease inhibitors<!-- (see) -->. FDA has approved the NNRTIs nevirapine<!-- (see) -->, delavirdine<!-- (see) -->, and efavirenz<!-- (see) --> for use against HIV.