n. an *antiretroviral drug (ARV) used, in combination with other ARVs, for treating refractory HIV infection. It acts by binding to and antagonizing CCR5, a receptor for a class of *chemokines on the host cell needed by some HIV viruses to enter the cell. Side-effects include gastrointestinal upsets, cough, and dizziness.
(ARV) any of a group of drugs that inhibit or slow the growth of *retroviruses, specifically HIV, and are used in the treatment of HIV infection and *AIDS. They include the *reverse transcriptase inhibitors and the *protease inhibitors (see also maraviroc; raltegravir). Treatment with a combination of antiretrovirals is known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).... antiretroviral drug
Health Encyclopedia