Guides

Main types of HIV drugs

There are many types (or classes) of ARVs – and others are in development. Each class works at a different stage of the HIV life cycle.

Every combination uses at least two different types of drugs.

This website has info on each HIV drug – old or new.

Table 1: Main types of HIV drugs
Abbreviation Full name(s)
NRTIs/NtRTIs (“nukes”) nucleoside/tide reverse transcriptase inhibitors or nucleoside/tide analogues
NNRTIs
(“non-nukes”)
non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
PIs protease inhibitors
INIs (or INSTIs) integrase strand transfer inhibitors
CCR5 inhibitors CCR5 inhibitors are a type of entry inhibitor
mAbs monoclonal antibodies – which also block entry to the CD4 cell
Fusion inhibitors fusion inhibitors are a type of entry inhibitor
PK boosters Ritonavir or cobicistat are included in some combinations to boost another drug

There are more than 30 HIV drugs and formulations. Luckily, only a few combinations are commonly used.

See also: Figure 5: HIV life cycle – how drugs work in different ways.

Last updated: 1 September 2024.