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Viracept (NELFINAVIR)
Viracept works by blocking the protease enzyme, which is essential for the replication of HIV.
Viracept (Nelfinavir) is a protease inhibitor, a type of antiretroviral medication. It was originally developed by AGOURON and is a small molecule that targets the Cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme. Viracept is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and was FDA approved in 1997. It is currently off-patent, meaning it is no longer protected by patents, and there are no generic manufacturers. As a result, its commercial status is uncertain.
At a glance
| Generic name | NELFINAVIR |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Agouron Pharms |
| Drug class | Protease Inhibitor |
| Target | Cytochrome P450 3A4 |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Immunology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1997 |
Mechanism of action
Mechanism of Action. Nelfinavir is an inhibitor of the HIV-1 protease. Inhibition of the viral protease prevents cleavage of the gag and gag-pol polyprotein resulting in the production of immature, non-infectious virus.
Approved indications
- Human immunodeficiency virus infection
Common side effects
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Flatulence
- Rash
- Leukopenia/neutropenia
- Anorexia
- Abdominal pain
- Hemoglobin
- Neutrophils
- Lymphocytes
- ALT (SGPT)
- AST (SGOT)
Drug interactions
- CYP3A4 Substrates
- P-glycoprotein Substrates
- alfentanil
- amprenavir
- bosentan
- conivaptan
- efavirenz
- indinavir
- levonorgestrel
- nifedipine
- norethisterone
- norgestimate
Key clinical trials
- Study of Cobicistat-Boosted Atazanavir (ATV/co), Cobicistat-Boosted Darunavir (DRV/co) and Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide (F/TAF) in Children With HIV (PHASE2,PHASE3)
- Radiosensitizing Effect of Nelfinavir in Locally Advanced Carcinoma of Cervix (PHASE3)
- Treating Anemia in Myelofibrosis With Repurposed Drugs (Nelfinavir) That Restore Iron Delivery to the Bone Marrow (PHASE1,PHASE2)
- Autophagy Maintenance (AUTOMAIN) (PHASE2)
- Nelfinavir Mesylate in Treating Patients With Kaposi Sarcoma (PHASE2)
- Pharmacokinetic Study of Antiretroviral Drugs and Related Drugs During and After Pregnancy
- Nelfinavir, Cisplatin, and External Beam Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Locally Advanced Vulvar Cancer That Cannot Be Removed by Surgery (PHASE1)
- Study to Compare Bictegravir/Lenacapavir Versus Current Therapy in People With HIV-1 Who Are Successfully Treated With a Complicated Regimen (PHASE2,PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |