What type of drug is Fuzeon classified as?

Fuzeon is classified as a fusion inhibitor, which is a specific type of antiretroviral drug used to hinder the entry of HIV into cells. It works by preventing the fusion of the virus with the host cell membrane, thereby blocking the infection process. This mechanism is distinct from other types of antiretroviral medications that target different stages of the HIV life cycle.

Understanding the classification as a fusion inhibitor highlights its unique role in HIV treatment. Other classes of drugs, such as antiretrovirals in general, protease inhibitors, and NRTIs (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors), function through different mechanisms. For instance, protease inhibitors work by interfering with the virus's ability to replicate after it has entered the host cell, while NRTIs inhibit reverse transcriptase, an enzyme crucial for viral replication. The specific action of fusion inhibitors makes them particularly useful in combination therapy regimens for HIV, especially in cases where resistance to other drug classes may be present.