How Entry Inhibitors Work

To spread, the virus needs to enter these cells and make copies of itself. [...] The copies are then released from these cells and infect other cells. Treatment with entry inhibitors is one way to help stop the virus from replicating and control HIV infection. [...] Entry inhibitors work by preventing HIV from entering healthy CD4 cells (T-cells) in the body. [...] Entry inhibitors work by attaching themselves to proteins on the surface of CD4 cells or proteins on the surface of HIV. [...] In order for HIV to bind to CD4 cells, the proteins on HIV's outer coat must bind to the proteins on the surface of CD4 cells. Entry inhibitors prevent this from happening. [...] There are different types of entry inhibitors—fusion inhibitors, receptor blockers (CCR5 antagonists), and post- attachment inhibitors. Some entry inhibitors target the gp120 or gp41 proteins on HIV's surface. [...] If entry inhibitors are successful in blocking these proteins, HIV is unable to bind to the surface of CD4 cells and gain entry into the cells. People with HIV who have become resistant to NRTIs, NNRTIs, and PIs will likely benefit from entry inhibitors because they are a different class of drugs. This is good news for people with HIV who have tried and failed many of the currently approved ARVs. En [...] If you are taking an entry inhibitor and start to have uncomfortable side effects, don't stop taking the drug without talking to your healthcare provider first. Pausing or changing ARVs can do more harm than good. [...] This means the drugs won’t work anymore to treat the virus. THE BOTTOM LINE Entry inhibitors are medications that have made HIV management possible. [...] It is important that the appropriate antiretroviral drug (ARV) regimen for HIV treatment is carefully selected, depending on your medical history, other illnesses, prior HIV treatment, stage of infection, and individual preferences. If your healthcare provider has prescribed entry inhibitors it’s important to stick to your treatment plan to manage HIV.