protease inhibitor

noun, Pharmacology

a drug that inhibits the action of protease, especially any of a class of antiviral drugs that prevent the cleavage and replication of HIV proteins.

British Dictionary definitions for protease inhibitors

protease inhibitor

noun

any one of a class of antiviral drugs that impair the growth and replication of HIV by inhibiting the action of protease produced by the virus: used in the treatment of AIDS

protease inhibitors in Medicine

protease inhibitor n.
An anti-HIV drug that blocks the action of the enzyme protease, which is needed for viral replication.

protease inhibitors in Culture

protease inhibitors [(proh-tee-ays)]

A class of pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of AIDS. It works by blocking the action of a protein that HIV needs to reproduce itself.

Note: Protease inhibitors are an example of designer drugs. They sometimes allow AIDS to be managed for long periods of time.