Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor

Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor

A Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (pronounced: noo-klee-oh-side ree-verse tran-skript-ase in-hi-bi-tor), often abbreviated as NRTI, is a type of antiretroviral drug used primarily in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

Etymology

The term "Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor" is derived from its function. A "nucleoside" is a subunit of DNA or RNA, "reverse transcriptase" is an enzyme that HIV uses to replicate, and an "inhibitor" is something that slows down or stops a process. Thus, an NRTI is a drug that inhibits the reverse transcriptase enzyme, preventing HIV from replicating.

Mechanism of Action

NRTIs work by mimicking the natural building blocks of DNA. When the HIV virus attempts to replicate by converting its RNA into DNA, the NRTI is incorporated into the new DNA strand, causing premature termination of the DNA chain and preventing the virus from replicating.

Examples

Examples of NRTIs include Zidovudine (AZT), Lamivudine (3TC), and Abacavir (ABC). These drugs are often used in combination with each other and with other types of antiretroviral drugs to provide effective treatment for HIV.

Side Effects

Common side effects of NRTIs can include nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. More serious side effects can include liver damage and a potentially life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis.

Related Terms

• Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
• Protease Inhibitor (PI)
• Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NNRTI)
• Integrase Inhibitor (II)

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