Antimicrobial
Reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Block viral RNA-to-DNA copying
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High-yield clue
NRTIs must be phosphorylated inside the cell before acting as chain terminators, whereas NNRTIs bind reverse transcriptase allosterically without activation; both target the retroviral RT step.
Overview
An antiviral class targeting the retroviral enzyme reverse transcriptase, split into nucleoside (NRTI) and non-nucleoside (NNRTI) types, used to teach how retroviruses convert RNA into DNA.
Classification
- Antiviral
- NRTI (nucleoside) and NNRTI (non-nucleoside) subtypes
- Retrovirus / HIV target
- Selected NRTIs (e.g. lamivudine, tenofovir) also inhibit hepatitis B polymerase; NNRTIs do not
Lab & identification clues
- Reverse transcriptase makes DNA from an RNA template vocabulary
- NRTI = competitive chain terminator concept
- NNRTI = allosteric (non-competitive) binding concept
Associations
- HIV antiretroviral study framing
- Hepatitis B polymerase overlap vocabulary (nucleos(t)ide agents only)
- Retroviral replication cycle concept
Commonly confused with
- Protease inhibitors
- Nucleoside analog antivirals (herpesvirus)
Your notes
Original mechanism summary for microbiology study. Sources checked: CDC antimicrobial-resistance guidance, NCBI Bookshelf Medical Microbiology, and standard coursework frameworks; reviewed 2026-06. Covers class, mechanism, and resistance vocabulary only; no prescribing, dosing, or patient-specific treatment guidance.