Antiretroviral Drugs Flashcards
What are the different stages of the HIV lifecycle where drugs can be used?
- Binding of the virus to the host cell membrane- blocked by CCR5 receptor antagonists
- Fusion and uncoating of the virus- blocked by fusion inhibitors
- Reverse transcription- blocked by NRTIs and NNRTIs inhibitors
- Viral DNA integration- blocked by integrase inhibitors
- Budding and maturation of the virus- blocked by protease and maturation inhibitors
Maximally suppressive antiretroviral therapy
Requires combo of at least 3 drugs
What does a typical treatment regimen for HIV look like?
“Backbone” – typically 2 NRTIs
“Base” – NNRTI, protease inhibitor, integrase strand transfer inhibitor, CCR5 antagonist
Selection Criteria for Drugs within a Class
Results of resistance testing (treatment-naïve vs -experienced)
Allergy history (screening for presence of HLA*5701)
Hypersensitivity to abacavir
Pregnancy status (efavirenz pregnancy category D)
Patient convenience (once-daily dosing and combo products reduce “pill burden”)
Comorbidities: hepatitis B, tuberculosis, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, psychiatric disorders, kidney disease
Side effect profiles
Potential drug interactions: many HAART drugs are CYP450 substrates and/or inducers- inhibitors
Specific drug combos used
Backbone: 2 NRTIs
Tenofovir-Emtricitabine preferred
Base: plus
An integrase inhibitor (Dolutegravir)
or a boosted (+ ritonavir) PI combination (Atazanavir or Darunavir preferred)
or an NNRTI (Efavirenz preferred
or a CCR5 antagonist (Maraviroc)
NRTIs- Mechanism of action
Nucleoside–tide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, Emtricitabine)
Activation by intracellular kinases to active triphosphate (REQUIRES ACTIVATION)
Phosphorylated analogs competitively inhibit viral RT and when incorporated into viral DNA causes chain termination
Prevents genome replication and establishment of provirus
How does HIV develop resistance to NRTIs?
Associated with mutations at various AA positions on RT
Cross resistance within class is common and is basis for avoiding certain NRTI combinations
What’s important when considering NRTI plasma concentration?
plasma levels falling too low: risk of resistance
too high- risk of toxicity
Which NRTIs are hepatically metabolized and which are renally excreted?
Know organ of elimination: avoid DDIs – dosage changes
Hepatic glucuronidation: Abacavir and Zidovudine
Renal excretion: All Others
Adverse Drug Reactions of NRTIs
Class Effects:
Related to varying levels of NRTI activity against mitochondrial DNA polymerase γ: anemia, myopathy, granulocytopenia, neuropathy
Lactic acidosis – hepatic steatosis, potentially fatal
Renal impairment potential with tenofovir
What are the two best-tolerated NRTIs?
Lamivudine (3TC) and emtricitabine (FTC)
Both agents are also active against HBV in co-infected patients
What are the pros and cons of dual NRTI therapy?
Advantages:
Established backbone of combination therapy
Minimal drug interactions
Disadvantages:
Lactic acidosis and hepatic steatosis: highest with d4T, then ddI and ZDV, lower with TDF, ABC, 3TC, and FTC (rarely used now)
Lipodystrophy: highest with d4T
NNRTIs- Mechanism of action
Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (Efavirenz)
Possess variety of dissimilar structures
Do NOT require activation by intracellular kinases
Bind to NON-CATALYTIC hydrophobic region and non-competitively inhibit HIV Reverse Transcriptase
Prevents genome replication - establishment of provirus
How does HIV develop resistance to NNRTIs?
Associated with single AA substitutions at various positions on RT
Developing resistance to one NNRTI confers cross-resistance to remaining class members
Newer member etravirine appears to have higher barrier to resistance
DDIs of NNRTIs
All are substrates of CYP450: innumerable DDIs due to induction-inhibition of CYP450 and potential for altered levels of co-administered PIs
Efavirenz: induces CYP3A4 (decreased methadone levels)
Etravirine: induces CYP3A4 – inhibits CYP2C9-19
Nevirapine: induces CYP3A4
Efavirenz (what is it and side effects)
NNRTI
Most common are rash, dizziness, headache, insomnia, impaired concentration; more severe CNS effects possible
Only anti-retroviral agent in pregnancy category D