CLINICAL-PHARMACOLOGY OF HIV PROTEASE INHIBITORS - FOCUS ON SAQUINAVIR, INDINAVIR, AND RITONAVIR

In this review the clinical pharmacology of HIV protease inhibitors, a new class of antiretroviral drugs, is discussed. After considering HI V protease function and structure, the development of inhibitors of HI V protease is presented. Three protease inhibitors are reviewed in mor e detail: saquinavir, indinavir, and ritonavir. Clinical trial results with these agents are evaluated. Furthermore, adverse effects, resist ance, dosage and administration, clinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacoki netic-pharmacodynamic relationships, and drug interactions are discuss ed.