Saquinavir

Saquinavir is a synthetic peptide-like substrate analog that inhibits the activity of HIV-1 protease and prevents the cleavage of viral polyproteins. The in vitro activity of saquinavir against HIV-1 is additive to or synergistic with that of reverse transcriptase inhibitors. As with other agents of this class, it is likely that combination therapy with nucleoside agents will be optimal clinically. To date there is little evidence of cross-resistance between saquinavir and other protease inhibitor compounds or between saquinavir and nucleoside analogs.