Which of the following is not an antiretroviral drug: March 2009

Ans. C: Ganciclovir Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs are broadly classified by the phase of the retrovirus life-cycle that the drug inhibits. Nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NI) inhibit reverse transcription by being incorporated into the newly synthesized viral DNA and preventing its fuher elongation (Zidovudine, Didanosine, Zalcitabine, Stavudine, Lamivudine, Abacavir) Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNI) inhibit reverse transcriptase directly by binding to the enzyme and interfering with its function (Nevirapine, Eirenz, Delavirdine) Retroviral Protease inhibitors (PIs) target viral assembly by inhibiting the activity of protease, an enzyme used by HIV to cleave nascent proteins for final assembly of new virons (Ritonavir, indinavir, Nelfinavir, Saquinavir, Amprenavir, Lopinavir) Entry inhibitors (or fusion inhibitors) interfere with binding, fusion and entry of HIV-1 to the host cell by blocking one of several targets. Maraviroc and enfuviide are the two currently available agents in this class. Ganciclovir is an anti-herpes drugs.