Raltegravir: first in class HIV integrase inhibitor

Review

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Authors: Zelalem Temesgen, Dawd S Siraj

Published Date June 2008 Volume 2008:4(2) Pages 493 - 500

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S2268

Zelalem Temesgen¹, Dawd S Siraj²

¹Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; ²East Carolina University Greenville, NC, USA

Abstract: On October 16, 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved raltegravir for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection in combination with other antiretroviral agents in treatment-experienced adult patients who have evidence of viral replication and HIV-1 strains resistant to multiple antiretroviral agents. Raltegravir is first in a novel class of antiretroviral drugs known as integrase inhibitors. It has demonstrated potent anti HIV activity in both antiretroviral treatment-naïve and experienced patients. The most common adverse events reported with raltegravir during phase 2 and 3 clinical trials were diarrhea, nausea, and headache. Laboratory abnormalities include mild elevations in liver transaminases and creatine phosphokinase.

Keywords: raltegravir, HIV, antiretroviral agents, integrase inhibitors