Tag: Enfuvirtide

Nearly all patients (98%) receiving enfuvirtide report at least one injection-site reaction. Understanding how do you administer enfuvirtide correctly is crucial for managing this HIV fusion inhibitor and minimizing side effects.

Enfuvirtide, commonly known by its research code T20 and brand name Fuzeon, was the first-in-class HIV fusion inhibitor approved by the FDA in 2003, marking a significant milestone in antiretroviral therapy. This potent peptide drug revolutionized treatment for individuals with drug-resistant HIV by uniquely blocking the virus from entering healthy immune cells. However, the term 'T20' also appears as a pill imprint for many other medications, which can cause confusion.

Enfuvirtide was the first drug approved in the fusion inhibitor class of antiretrovirals, marking a new approach in HIV treatment. This synthetic peptide is used as part of a combination therapy for patients with multidrug-resistant HIV-1 infection, and its classification highlights its unique mechanism of blocking viral entry.

Approved by the FDA in 2003, enfuvirtide (Fuzeon) was the first HIV fusion inhibitor to be introduced, representing a new class of antiretroviral drugs. The mechanism of action of enfuvirtide involves a unique, extracellular approach to inhibit the fusion of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with healthy host cells, thereby preventing viral replication.

Enfuvirtide was the first HIV fusion inhibitor approved by the FDA in 2003, establishing a novel class of antiretroviral drugs for treatment-experienced patients. This article explains precisely **how does enfuvirtide prevent this step in the viral infection cycle** by blocking the final stages of viral entry.

Enfuvirtide, the first-in-class HIV fusion inhibitor, was approved by the U.S. FDA on March 13, 2003 [1.9.1, 1.9.3]. It represents a unique class of antiretroviral drugs. So, what is the target of enfuvirtide? Its action is highly specific, targeting a critical component of the virus itself.

Fuzeon, with the generic name enfuvirtide, was the first HIV fusion inhibitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2003, representing a new front in the battle against HIV/AIDS. This injectable drug, a fusion inhibitor, targets an early stage of the viral lifecycle and is reserved for specific, treatment-experienced patients with multidrug-resistant HIV.

In August 2024, Genentech confirmed the discontinuation of the HIV medication Fuzeon (enfuvirtide) in the United States, effective February 28, 2025. This change is primarily driven by evolving clinical practices and a reduced medical need for the drug, with numerous newer alternative treatments now available.

Approved by the FDA in 2003, enfuvirtide became the first HIV fusion inhibitor on the market, offering a new treatment option for highly treatment-experienced patients. Its unique mechanism of action provided a vital new tool in the fight against multi-drug-resistant HIV.

Iatrogenic amyloidosis, a form of the disease caused by medical interventions, is a rare but recognized complication where therapeutic protein and peptide drugs can become amyloidogenic, leading to localized deposits [1.3.3, 1.3.5, 1.5.6]. This includes both prescribed medications and illicit substances.