HIV protease inhibitors: Advances in therapy and adverse reactions, including metabolic complications

Protease inhibitors (PIs) effectively inhibit replication of the human immu nodeficiency virus (HIV), and reduce mortality and prolong survival in pati ents with HIV infection. Newer PIs saquinavir (soft gelatin capsule) and am prenavir, as well as other PIs, may be effective when administered twice/da y. Adverse reactions may occur, as well as metabolic complications and inte ractions between PIs and other drugs, including other PIs. The strategy of combining PIs is based on specific pharmacologic interactions among the age nts.