Master Integrase Inhibitors with Picmonic for Medicine

Integrase inhibitors are designed to treat HIV. Treatment is usually given with other medications.

This drug class works by blocking the insertion of the HIV viral genome into the host cell chromosome.

Integrase inhibitors block viral genome integration by reversibly inhibiting HIV integrase, the viral enzyme which integrates the viral genome.

A side effect of this medication is hypercholesterolemia, so patients should have baseline labs monitored.

Increases in liver function tests such as AST, ALT, and bilirubin are seen often in patients taking raltegravir but more commonly in patients who also have hepatitis. These increases may lead to pruritis and jaundice.

Many patients complain of insomnia after beginning treatment with integrase inhibitors.

Increases in creatinine kinase are seen in up to 10% of patients taking raltegravir. This increase is associated with muscle pain and, more severely, can result in rhabdomyolysis.