Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors or "Nucs"

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Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) or "Nucs"

The first anti-HIV drug, an NRTI called zidovudine, was approved by the FDA in 1987.

How nucs work

Nucs work by slowing down the rate at which copies of HIV are made in the body. Just like cells in the body, HIV also has its own genetic code. The genetic code of HIV provides instructions on how to make copies of itself. In order for HIV to make copies, there are a few things the virus needs to do:

The HIV virus needs to invade a cell in the human body
The HIV virus has to insert its own "instructions" or genetic code into the DNA of the human cell it has invaded

In order for HIV to insert its genetic code into the DNA of a human cell, HIV must "translate" its genetic code into a language that the human cell can understand. Nucs work by interfering in this translation process. As a result, HIV is unable to insert its genetic code into the DNA of the cell.

FDA-approved NRTIs

For additional information about GlaxoSmithKline HIV products, including a serious allergic reaction (hypersensitivity reaction) to drugs containing abacavir, please click on "Important Safety Information/Indications."

Brand name	Generic name	Pharmaceutical company	Prescribing Information for GlaxoSmithKline products
Atripla^™*†	efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir DF	Bristol-Myers Squibb and Gilead Sciences
Combivir^®	lamivudine/ zidovudine	GlaxoSmithKline	Prescribing Information
Emtriva^®†	emtricitabine (FTC)	Gilead Sciences
Epivir^®	lamivudine (3TC)	GlaxoSmithKline	Prescribing Information
Epzicom^®	abacavir sulfate and lamivudine	GlaxoSmithKline	Prescribing Information
Retrovir^®	zidovudine (ZDV)	GlaxoSmithKline	Prescribing Information
Trizivir^®	abacavir sulfate, lamivudine, and zidovudine	GlaxoSmithKline	Prescribing Information
Truvada^®†	emtricitabine and tenofovir DF	Gilead Sciences
Videx^® EC^†	didanosine (ddI)	Bristol-Myers Squibb
Viread^®†	tenofovir disoproxil fumarate	Gilead Sciences
Zerit^®†	stavudine (d4T)	Bristol-Myers Squibb
Ziagen^®	abacavir sulfate	GlaxoSmithKline	Prescribing Information

*Atripla is a combination tablet that contains 2 NRTIs and an NNRTI.

^†The brands listed above are trademarks of their respective owners and are not trademarks of The GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies. The makers of these brands are not affiliated with and do not endorse GlaxoSmithKline or its products.