Like the nucleoside analogues, they also attack RT, but in a different way. Protease inhibitors Protease is a different HIV enzyme. After HIV has successfully merged its DNA with the human cell's DNA, the cell produces a string of protein. Protease cuts this protein string into smaller proteins that can be used to construct new HIV particles. By blocking protease, protease inhibitors help to prevent an infected cell from producing new infectious virus particles.
Different drugs cause different side-effects.
Make sure your doctor explains what side-effects you may expect from any drugs you decide to take, including mild ones that may wear off, and serious ones that you should report to your doctor straight away. Resistance Resistance can develop whenever HIV continues to reproduce whilst anti-HIV drugs are being taken, but can be delayed by taking drugs in powerful combinations which suppress viral load to very low levels. The risk of developing resistance may increase if you fail to take your anti-HIV drugs regularly at the recommended dose and times of day, or to follow any food restrictions. This means that you should only start anti-HIV therapy if you are firmly committed to continuing to take it. ON NAM also publishes a free monthly newsletter, AIDS Treatment Update .