What type of medication is Fuzeon (enfuvirtide) classified as?

Fuzeon, or enfuvirtide, is classified as a fusion inhibitor, which is important in the treatment of HIV. This type of medication works by preventing the HIV virus from entering and infecting the host's immune cells, specifically the CD4 T cells. It does this by inhibiting the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane, thereby blocking the virus's ability to enter the cells.

Understanding the role of fusion inhibitors is critical in HIV therapy because they target a different stage in the viral life cycle compared to other antiretroviral classes. Other groups, like nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), protease inhibitors, and integrase inhibitors, target different mechanisms of HIV replication, such as viral enzyme activity and integration into the host genome. Recognizing how fusion inhibitors fit within the broader picture of HIV treatment helps healthcare providers create effective therapy regimens that address the complexities of the virus.