What is an AIDS cocktail?

An AIDS cocktail is a combination of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) used to treat HIV infection. These drugs work by blocking different stages of the HIV replication cycle, preventing the virus from multiplying and spreading throughout the body.

The typical AIDS cocktail includes three or more drugs from different classes of ARVs, such as:

*Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs): These drugs block the enzyme reverse transcriptase, which HIV uses to convert its RNA genome into DNA. Examples of NRTIs include tenofovir, emtricitabine, and lamivudine.

*Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs): These drugs also block reverse transcriptase, but they do so by binding to a different site on the enzyme. Examples of NNRTIs include efavirenz, rilpivirine, and nevirapine.

*Protease inhibitors (PIs): These drugs block the enzyme protease, which HIV uses to cut newly synthesized viral proteins into smaller, functional units. Examples of PIs include atazanavir, darunavir, and tipranavir.

*Integrase inhibitors (INIs): These drugs block the enzyme integrase, which HIV uses to insert its DNA into the DNA of host cells. Examples of INIs include raltegravir, elvitegravir, and dolutegravir.

*Entry inhibitors: These drugs block the entry of HIV into host cells by targeting different proteins involved in the viral entry process. Examples of entry inhibitors include enfuvirtide (fuzeon) and maraviroc (Selzentry).

Combination therapy with an AIDS cocktail is highly effective in reducing the amount of HIV in the body (viral load) and preventing the development of AIDS-related complications. By suppressing the virus and boosting the immune system, ARVs allow people with HIV to live longer, healthier lives.