HIV Medications - Protease Inhibitors

The Most Potent of the HIV Medications

Protease Inhibitors stop HIV replication by preventing the enzyme protease from cutting the virus into the shorter pieces that it needs to make copies of itself. Incomplete, defective copies are formed which can't infect cells.

The HIV Life Cycle

• Prezista (darunavir)

• Aptivus (tipranavir)

• Lexiva (fosamprenavir)

• Reyataz (atazanavir)

• Crixivan (Indinavir)

• Invirase (Saquinavir)

• Viracept (Nelfinavir)

• Norvir (Ritonavir)

• Fortovase (Saquinavir SGC)
  As of 2006, the formulation of Saquinavir called Fortovase is being phased out due to the popularity and the ease of administration of Invirase 500mg tablets. If you are taking Fortovase, contact your doctor to switch to the 500mg Invirase tablets.

• Agenerase (Amprenavir)

• Kaletra (Lopinavir + Norvir)

Important Warning!

• St. John's Wort will decrease the affect Protease Inhibitors therefore never use St. John's Wort when taking Protease Inhibitors.

• Viagra doses must be decreased when taking Protease Inhibitors.

More HIV Medication Fact Sheets