FDA approves Isentress to fight HIV

A new class of drug is coming to fight the HIV. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday approved 'Isentress', the first of a new class of HIV drugs that attacks the virus in a different way. 'Isentress' works by blocking the integrase enzyme, which helps HIV to replicate by inserting its DNA into new cells.

Isentress is being developed by Merck & Co. and is designed for patients who have shown resistance to current treatments. But more testing is necessary before it is approved for new HIV patients or children, the company said in a statement.

Like two earlier classes of anti-HIV drugs - Protease and Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors, Isentress will also be prescribed for patients in combination with other drugs to maximize the number of ways the virus is being attacked. Link