Drug Groups

approved

Description

A potent HIV-1 protease inhibitor. It is used in combination with other antiviral drugs in the treatment of HIV in both adults and children. [PubChem]

Indication

Used in combination with other antiviral drugs in the treatment of HIV in both adults and children.

Pharmacology

Nelfinavir is a protease inhibitor with activity against Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1). Protease inhibitors block the part of HIV called protease. HIV-1 protease is an enzyme required for the proteolytic cleavage of the viral polyprotein precursors into the individual functional proteins found in infectious HIV-1. Nelfinavir binds to the protease active site and inhibits the activity of the enzyme. This inhibition prevents cleavage of the viral polyproteins resulting in the formation of immature non-infectious viral particles. Protease inhibitors are almost always used in combination with at least two other anti-HIV drugs.

Toxicity

Oral LD₅₀ is over 5g/kg in rats. Side effects include thirst and hunger, unexplained weight loss, increased urination, fatigue, and dry, itchy skin.

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Primarily hepatic via cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes. CYP3A and CYP2C19 appear to be the predominant enzymes that metabolize nelfinavir in humans. One major and several minor metabolites are found in plasma; the major oxidative metabolite has in vitro antiviral activity comparable to that of the parent drug.

Absorption

Well absorbed following oral administration.

Half Life

3.5 - 5 hours

Protein Binding

>98%

Elimination

The terminal half-life in plasma was typically 3.5 to 5 hours. The majority (87%) of an oral 750 mg dose containing 14C-nelfinavir was recovered in the feces; fecal radioactivity consisted of numerous oxidative metabolites (78%) and unchanged nelfinavir (22%). Only 1–2% of the dose was recovered in urine, of which unchanged nelfinavir was the major component.

Distribution

* 2 to 7 L/kg

References

External Links