Elvucitabine

Elvucitabine is an experimental nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), developed by Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the treatment of HIV infection.

Elvucitabine belongs to a class of HIV drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). By blocking reverse transcriptase enzymes, NRTIs prevent HIV from multiplying and can reduce the amount of HIV in the body.

Elvucitabine is similar in chemical structure to the FDA-approved NRTIs lamivudine (brand name Epivir) and emtricitabine (brand name Emtriva). However, in vitro studies have suggested that elvucitabine may affect certain HIV strains resistant to other NRTIs, such as lamivudine and emtricitabine.

Studies have also suggested that elvucitabine may be effective against hepatitis B virus (HBV). Mechanism of action of Elvucitabine ; reveals that it acts by inhibiting reverse transcriptase which interferes with generation of DNA copies of viral RNA.

Currently, it is in Phase II clinical trials.