Which class of medication includes Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors?

Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTIs) are a specific class of antiretroviral medications used primarily in the treatment of HIV. These medications work by inhibiting the integrase enzyme, which is crucial for the HIV lifecycle, as it integrates the viral DNA into the host cell's genome. By preventing the integration of viral DNA, these inhibitors effectively block the replication of the virus within the host.

The designation "Integrase inhibitors" signifies that this class specifically targets the integrase enzyme, distinguishing it from other classes of HIV medications that focus on different stages of the viral lifecycle, such as protease inhibitors, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). Each of these other classes interferes with different mechanisms of the virus, but they do not directly impact the integrase function specific to INSTIs. Therefore, the classification of medication as "Integrase inhibitors" accurately reflects their function and role in antiretroviral therapy.