According to the U.S Food and Drug Administration, integrase inhibitors are a class of anti-retroviral medication that block the actions of integrase, an enzyme that HIV uses to insert its genetic material into the genetic material of healthy human cells. Integrase inhibitors are used in combination with other anti-retroviral drugs so as to treat HIV and AIDS.
Raltegravir
According to Drugs.com, raltegravir also known as Isentress, is an integrase inhibitor that works by blocking integrase, an enzyme that is needed in order for HIV to replicate. Patients allergic to raltegravir should avoid the drug. Raltegravir should be used with caution in patients with muscle problems, liver disease including hepatitis B and C, and kidney disease. Common side effects of raltegravir include headache, insomnia, weakness, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Adverse side effects of integrase include muscle pain, dark urine, chest pain, fast heart rate, shortness of breath, excessive sweating, jaundice, flu-like symptoms, fever, sore throat, chills and fatigue.
Elvitegravir
AIDSinfo.nih.gov states that elvitegravir is an integrase inhibitor, has common side effects that include headache, loss of appetite and elevated liver enzymes. Adverse side effects of elvitegravir include liver and kidney failure.
GSK-572
According to AIDSmeds.com, GSK-572 is an experimental integrase inhibitor that is being developed by ViiV health care company. Clinical trials are evaluating GSK-572's effectiveness in treating HIV infections that are resistant to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors.
