Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Nonnucleoside transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are potent antiretroviral agents that can successfully be used in appropriate HIV/AIDS triple-therapy regimens, although resistance can develop rapidly. The two primary advantages of initiating NNRTIs therapy are that it delays the use of protease inhibitors and the NNRTIs regimen is easier to adhere to and can be given once per day. Nevirapine and delavirdine, two NNRTIs that have been approved for clinical use, are examined, and loviride, efavirenz, and HBY 097, currently under development, are discussed. The advantages, disadvantages, and pharmacologic characteristics of each drug are highlighted.